DJI Manifold 2 Turns Drones into Autonomous Robots

Revolutionizing Enterprise Drone Solutions

DJI, the renowned leader in civilian drone technology and aerial imaging, has unveiled its latest innovation, the Manifold 2. This compact onboard supercomputer is designed to transform DJI drones into highly capable autonomous flying robots. The Manifold 2 significantly enhances a drone’s computational abilities, allowing for complex image data processing directly in-flight. As a result, users can enjoy immediate outcomes and program drones to navigate autonomously while identifying objects and circumventing obstacles.

A Step Forward in Computing Power

DJI emphasizes the advancements made possible by collaborative efforts with some of the most prominent computing firms and chip manufacturers. “We are transforming our drones into intelligent aerial machines capable of executing intricate computing tasks and sophisticated image processing in real-time,” notes Jan Gasparic, DJI Director of Strategic Partnerships. The introduction of Manifold 2 opens the door to a plethora of applications across various sectors, providing businesses, developers, and researchers the tools to create the most advanced autonomous aerial solutions tailored to their specific needs.

Versatile Intelligence for Various Applications

The Manifold 2 offers impressive processing power, allowing users to choose between the Intel® Core™ i7-8550U CPU or the NVIDIA® Jetson™ TX2 supercomputer, catering to the demands of artificial intelligence at the edge. Both options are fully compatible with DJI’s leading enterprise drones, including the Matrice 210 series and Matrice 600 series, integrating effortlessly with internal systems and sensors through DJI’s robust software development kit. This encourages open customization while facilitating seamless integration into DJI’s extensive ecosystem of software and hardware solutions. Each Manifold 2 also features multiple ports such as USB, UART, and CAN, permitting developers to connect multiple units and build specialized aerial robots tailored to diverse industrial applications.

Next-Gen Capabilities in Action

The capabilities of the DJI Manifold 2 are not just theoretical. It effectively supports advanced computer vision and navigation processes featured in Automodality’s patented AMROS™ and Perceptive Navigation® platform. Ed Koch, Chief Technology Officer at Automodality, remarks, “Manifold 2 empowers drones to execute real-time perception and analysis, hence unveiling new possibilities and functionalities. This allows Automodality-equipped DJI Matrice 210s to autonomously navigate uncharted territories, particularly in environments where GPS and radio frequencies are unreliable, where valuable data is typically found.”

Availability and Pricing

For those interested in integrating this groundbreaking technology, the DJI Manifold 2 is available through authorized DJI Enterprise resellers globally. In North America, it can also be purchased online via DJI’s store at store.dji.com. The pricing for the CPU version starts at $1,379, while the GPU version is priced at $1,099. The Manifold 2 is compatible with various DJI products, including the Matrice 210 Series, Matrice 600 Series, N3 Flight Controller, and A3 Flight Controller. To gain further insights into Manifold 2’s new features and capabilities, DJI invites you to visit www.dji.com/manifold-2.