Revolutionizing Industries with Drone In-a-Box Technology

While it dates back to the late 1960s, Drone in-a-box technology is, today, both increasing in advancement and conversation. From agricultural surveying and infrastructure inspection to emergency situation response and security monitoring, this technology offers a fully automated, rapid-deployment drone solution.

Considering drone in-a-box technology for your company? To help your due diligence, this article will cover how its technology works, industry applications, and market-leading technologies.

DJI Dock 2

How Drone In-a-Box Systems Work

Drone in-a-box technology has ushered in a significant advancement in the area of autonomous UAV operations, composing systems where drones are housed, charged, deployed from, and returned to a self-contained — often portable — unit.  

‘Unit’ is synonymous with ‘box’ — serving as both the drone's home base station and automated service mechanism. Compared with its counterparts, drone in-a-box autonomous UAVs require minimal human drone operation as the technology itself facilitates health checks, charging, and data uploading, among other otherwise manual tasks.

M3D Takeoff from Dock 2

Industry Applications

Today, companies of many industries and sizes are adopting drone in-a-box technology. Surveying, public safety, and infrastructure maintenance are among the top sectors benefiting from its deployment.

• Surveying: Optimizing how companies perform land and resource management by providing detailed aerial data and imagery — supporting more precise measurements and the ability to accurately monitor changes over time.

• Public safety: Enhancing emergency response strategies, allowing for quick deployment in search and rescue remote drone operations, accident scene analysis, and disaster management.

• Infrastructure maintenance: Facilitating the automatic inspection of critical infrastructure, such as bridges, power lines, and wind turbines. Such inspection works to identify issues before they escalate, thus reducing downtime and maintenance costs.

Drone Surveying

More generally, drone in a box technology is adopted for its various advantages and applications, including its capacity to autonomously operate 24/7, automate repetitive tasks, and improve efficiency and safety across numerous industries.

Spotlight on DJI Dock 2

DJI Dock 2 is sturdy, reliable, and constructed to operate 24/7 — irrespective of environmental conditions. Each Dock 2 can accommodate an M3D or M3TD, providing a platform for it to land, recharge, launch, and carry out tasks as configured in DJI FlightHub 2.

DJI Flighthub 2

Consider the following three key features Dock 2: 

• Accessible cloud management: The integration with DJI FlightHub 2 provides comprehensive cloud-based control, allowing for detailed mission planning, real-time monitoring, and data management from anywhere, at any time. 

• Robust design for all conditions: Built to withstand challenging weather conditions, Dock 2 is IP55 ingress protection rated and offers protection against rain and dust, ensuring reliability and durability across various environments.

• Fast charging capabilities: Fast charging equals a fast turnaround. The M3D and M3TD can wirelessly charge on the Dock 2 from 20 to 90 percent in just over a half hour, remarkable charging speeds for such a mobile and compact unit.
  

DJI Dock 2

Dock 2 Case Study: Inspecting Construction Site with Dock 2 and M3D

A collaboration between DJI Enterprise and Adam's Construction Surveying, a professional surveying, mapping, and construction service based in Texas, marked North America's first comprehensive case study utilizing DJI Dock 2. The project aimed to gather 3D data from a construction site and track dirt movement during their mass grading phase and review all verifications of their final cut phase, leveraging Dock 2s capabilities to operate remotely, automate flight missions, and capture detailed visual imagery. 

The project involved setting up Dock 2 at a reliable location on the construction site for optimal deployment, considering factors such as power, internet, and clear surrounding areas. Adam's Surveying led the on-site setup, ensuring the unit met all technical specifications for operational readiness.

The task was conducted using the Matrice 3D equipped with a zoom camera and wide angle camera with a mechanical shutter to capture high precision images with minimum motion blur or distortion. Once the images were taken, Adam's Surveying was able to view the captured data remotely from the comfort of their office. By generating a detailed 3D model they were able to monitor progress compared to the original design files and make adjustments accordingly. Dock 2 demonstrated its potential for fully remote inspections, completing data capture while ensure the timeline for completion was met.

You can view the full case study video here. Or, click here to learn more about DJI Dock 2 and its complete list of specifications.

DJI Dock 2 Case Study Video