The new DJI Matrice M100 (previously known as the Matrix 100) may herald a new era of possibilities in multirotor technology. Aimed at developers, the M100 was designed specifically as a platform for developing new multirotor hardware and software.
According to DJI, among the many possibilities with the M100 is its integration with Oculus VR goggles and gesture-control systems such as the one developed by Leap Motion. Imagine flying a drone using a set of virtual reality goggles and controlling it by just waving your hands — these are just some of the many possibilities with drone technology in the near future.
With its many communication ports, expansion bays and power supply leads, the Matrice M100 was designed to be set up quickly and flown without the need for any complicated programming. It’s also possible to mount peripheral hardware on the M100 to access flight data and other systems. This makes it ideal for developers wanting to test and create new technology.
The M100 has a flight time of about 20 minutes with a payload of about 2.2 pounds. It can also carry a second battery to extend its flight time to about 40 minutes. However, carrying an extra battery also means a lighter payload.
Like the Phantom 3 and Inspire 1, the M100 can make use of DJI’s Lightbridge video transmission which allows 720p HD video to be transmitted up to a distance of about 2km.
The M100 can also be used with DJI’s very first object-avoidance system which was announced recently. The new system makes use of ultrasonic sensors and stereo cameras to prevent a drone from colliding with objects as it flies.
The new object-avoidance system will cost $999 with the M100 costing $3299. Both products can be pre-ordered now at DJI dealers and are expected to ship by the end of June.