In 2020, DJI launched its most advanced commercial drone platform and first hybrid cameras, the Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 camera payloads.

Matrice 300 RTK combines unrivalled reliability and industry-leading intelligence to reinvent the way industries work wiith its 55-minute flight time and 15km maximum transmission range.

The Zenmuse H20 camera payloads are hybrids that offer users a 20-megapixel zoom camera, 12-megapixel wide-angle camera, 1200m laser range finder, and a 640×512 px radiometric thermal camera. Here we focus on the two current models within this hybrid line, the H20 (3-in-1 camera) and the H20T (4-in-1 camera, T referring to the model with the thermal camera).

Combining the H20 camera payloads with the Matrice 300 RTK has brought about possibilities in aerial inspection and data collection missions never thought possible. We will now highlight three main industrial applications made possible by DJI's Matrice 300 RTK and H20 camera payloads.

Let’s discuss some industrial applications of the Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 cameras.

Infrastructure Inspections

Power line Inspections

Rough terrains, particularly in remote areas, make it hard to inspect power line networks manually. That’s why drones have become an indispensable tool for power line inspection. They are portable, easier to deploy, and can work in the most remote locations.

Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20T camera are reliable tools for power line inspections. The Matrice 300 RTK’s six directional sensing and positioning system and anti-collision features allow for safer and improved reliability during power line inspections. For enhanced safety, the Matrice 300 RTK uses the Circular Scanning Millimeter-Wave (CSM) Radar, which can detect thin obstacles such as branches, wires, and power lines. The CSM radar allows pilots to detect obstacles within 1m to 30m range with 360 angled horizontal detection. When inspecting power lines, the CSM radar attached at the top of the M300 RTK works with the drone’s built-in vision sensing system for safer inspections.

The drone’s 55-minute flight time and 15km transmission range mean it can inspect power lines over long distances in a single battery charge. An AI Spot Check feature on the Matrice 300 RTK helps pilots automate missions by recording waypoints, gimbal, and camera parameters to replicate future tasks at a particular site. Inspectors can pre-select areas on the power line and grid that will be captured in all subsequent missions to improve accuracy and consistency in inspections. Flight, navigation, and obstacle data stream via the remote controller's Primary Flight Display. This provides enhanced situational awareness for conducting inspections safer and with more confidence.

For detailed power line inspection, the Zenmuse H20T camera is best suited. Inspectors can capture high-resolution images of each grid and obtain detailed visual data with the camera’s 23x hybrid optical zoom. Inspectors can also collect precise temperature readings and thermal data for making technical decisions on the power line and grid. The camera’s integrated user interface allows inspectors to switch quickly between thermal, wide, and zoom views during inspections.

The Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20T camera are transforming the electricity industry. Automated grid and power line inspection can become a standard for all electricity companies.

Solar Inspections

It's vital to maintain the quality of solar power plants for optimal power production. High-quality thermal and visual data captured with the H20T camera can help identify anomalies, dirt on photovoltaic cells, defective cells, and degradation of solar cells. The Matrice 300 RTK and H20T camera is a cost-effective, efficient and time-saving solution for inspectors to maintain solar plants operating at optimum efficiency compared to manual assessments.

Bridge Inspections

Traditional manual bridge inspections are time-consuming, complex, and costly. Engineers also require specialized and expensive inspection gears to check the underside of the bridge. Even with such equipment, inspection results are not always promising because some areas are not easily accessible and can expose the inspectors to significant risks.

DJI’s Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 camera make bridge inspections easier and safer. Engineers can regularly use the drone to inspect and monitor bridges, thus improving maintenance and safety while maintaining the structure's useful life. Matrice 300 RTK has the option of an upward-facing gimbal allowing engineers to mount the H20 camera payloads onto the drone to inspect areas underneath the bridge. The H20's 12-megapixel wide-angle camera with 82.9 degrees field of view is good for optimum scanning of the different sections of the bridge.

Other Inspections

Inspections in the oil & gas pipeline, railroad, and telecom tower industries can also be undertaken with the Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 cameras.

Security and Monitoring

Security and monitoring are significant growth sectors for the application of drone technology. The reasons for this potential are evident. Drones can monitor a vast terrain within a short time compared to security personnel. They can also access difficult-to-reach areas. Matrice 300 RTK and H20 cameras can be deployed in securing extensive infrastructure, perimeter control, remote area monitoring, environmental monitoring, wildlife monitoring, and many others.

DJI designed the Matrice 300 RTK platform with extensive redundancy systems to boost flight reliability and safety, making it ideal for safer flights in security and monitoring work. The redundancies include six directional obstacle sensing system and a three-propeller emergency landing. Besides that, it comes with dual-vision and Time of Flight (ToF) sensors, which offer binocular machine vision that can sense changes in the drone's attitude, altitude, and position. This positions the drone while helping it detect obstacles.

Thanks to the Matrice 300 RTK's dual operator mode, two pilots can alternate control of the drone and camera payload, increasing flexibility for security operations. Security personnel can track moving subjects using the drone’s Smart Track feature. Officers can also use the thermal camera to view, monitor, and capture data at night or when there's low visibility.

Public Safety

Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 cameras are proving beneficial to many police, rescue, and fire departments. The sturdy and durable nature of the drone makes it ideal for deployment during a disaster.

In fire emergencies, pilots can use the Matrice 300 RTK and payload's PinPoint, and Smart Track features to view the extent of the fire and locate people. Equipped with a hot-swappable battery system, pilots can replace the batteries of the Matrice 300 RTK without powering it down. Therefore, minimizing downtime in mission-critical rescue operations.

H20’s One-Click capture feature will allow operators to capture high-quality images simultaneously without switching camera views. They can use the images to determine the extent of the disaster. If people are trapped, thermal imaging with the H20T can help the pilot locate them and send a rescue team.

Additionally, operators can take advantage of H20’s laser range finder camera, which has a 3m to 1200m range to collect specific distance and location data on an asset. The built-in sensor allows for accurate collection of geo-location information, critical during search and rescue missions.

Bottom Line

It’s no secret. Drones are having a significant impact in many industries, but it's not all about just drones. Sensors, cameras and software work together with drones to deliver the value we see in these industrial applications. The Matrice 300 RTK and H20 camera payloads have set a new standard for industrial work. They are truly versatile, rugged, and reliable solutions for enterprises conducting tasks in a safer, timely, and more efficient manner. If you would like a demonstration of the Matrice 300 RTK and H20 camera payloads, connect with us.