Key Takeaways from DJI’s Inaugural AirWorks Conference
- DJI launched AirWorks on December 1, 2016, to connect and strengthen the diverse drone ecosystem.
- The U.S. drone industry is rapidly expanding, with projections estimating growth to $125 billion and the creation of over 100,000 jobs by 2020.
- Innovators showcased revolutionary software technologies that could transform various industries, including agriculture and construction.
- New tools announced by DJI were designed to enhance developers’ capabilities, simplifying the creation of tailored drone solutions.
- DJI is establishing a strong presence in the North American enterprise market, supporting the use of UAV technology in different industrial sectors.
DJI Celebrates the Launch of AirWorks Conference
December 1, 2016, heralded the inception of DJI’s annual AirWorks conference, a platform dedicated to exploring the vast drone ecosystem that includes hardware, software, and service companies centered around UAV technology. With over 450 drone companies currently operating in the U.S. alone, this market is steadily demonstrating its incredible potential, characterized by remarkable growth rates. Analysts estimate that the drone industry will skyrocket from $9 billion to an astounding $125 billion by 2020, coinciding with projections for the creation of more than 100,000 new jobs in the coming years. In response to this booming sector, DJI created AirWorks to foster connections among businesses across the drone landscape and streamline the sharing of information, especially for those looking to enter the field.
A Day of Innovation
The first day of the conference showcased a dazzling array of software innovators. These trailblazers shared their perspectives on how drone technology is set to revolutionize the future. By opening up and simplifying the software that drives drones, DJI aims to empower developers to build upon each other’s achievements, crafting customized solutions tailored to individual business needs or broad applications within entire industries.
DJI’s Commitment to Development
Michael Perry, Director of Strategic Partnerships at DJI, stated, “Drones are transforming industries from construction to surveying to agriculture to public safety. The innovations we’ve seen so far have just scratched the surface of how drones can help enterprises work faster, safer, more efficiently, and at a lower cost.” His remarks highlight DJI’s eagerness to support developers in implementing cutting-edge drone functionalities while expanding their possibilities for crafting exciting, new custom applications.
Launch of New Software Tools
This year’s AirWorks also saw DJI unveiling new features and enhancements to its Mobile and Onboard Software Development Kits (SDKs). These tools are designed to allow developers to create bespoke solutions suited for enterprise needs. Innovations range from user interface libraries that facilitate quicker mobile app development to an onboard trajectory planning and control framework that empowers developers to execute complex missions. DJI also introduced Ground Station Pro, a new application developed specifically for planning and creating detailed 2D and 3D maps.
Enhancing Development with Onboard SDK
Darren Liccardo, DJI’s Vice President of Engineering, Systems, and Applications, emphasized, “We’ve created a library of new software building blocks for our Onboard SDK, allowing developers to quickly and easily generate precise trajectories, capture lidar data, align and export point clouds, and halt trajectory control if an unexpected obstacle is detected.” With the Onboard SDK, it becomes possible for developers to design solutions that plan complex trajectories while continuously monitoring for potential conflicts and processing raw lidar data to generate point clouds suitable for seamless integration into industrial workflows.
DJI Enterprise Expands in North America
The unveiling of DJI AirWorks is also a significant stride towards establishing DJI Enterprise’s presence in the North American market. The conference is poised to lead to further initiatives aimed at educating industry stakeholders about the benefits of UAV technology. DJI plans to document, develop, and distribute resources in support of industrial applications, while actively pursuing partnerships that will broaden the utility of its products across diverse industry sectors.
To delve deeper into the DJI AirWorks initiative, visit DJI AirWorks.
For more on the developments surrounding DJI Enterprise, check out DJI Enterprise.
