Empower Your Insights with DJI Thermal Drones
Thermal cameras have been an excellent addition to drones. Applications such as surveillance and inspection work are furthered with thermal technology. Every object and surface will have a heat signature, thermal sensors are able to detect thermal radiation emitted by objects and environments, allowing users to visualise temperature differences and thermal patterns. Thermal cameras can detect the surface temperature of many objects, but there are exceptions. For example, highly polished, shiny and reflective objects do not absorb much heat — they have what is known as low emissivity. These are hard to detect on thermal cameras. High emissivity objects like wood, concrete — and even people — are easy to scan.
Thermal cameras on drones work by detecting the heat emitted by objects, with warmer objects appearing brighter or contrasting against cooler surroundings in the thermal imagery. This technology uses sensors that can detect infrared radiation, converting it into a visual representation of temperature differences. Thermal imaging drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones equipped with thermal cameras or infrared (IR) cameras. Thermal imaging drones have various applications across different industries, thanks to their ability to detect heat variations and provide valuable insights. Here's an overview of what thermal imaging drones are and their applications:
1. Search and Rescue: Thermal imaging drones are invaluable tools for locating missing persons or survivors in various conditions, including dense forests, rugged terrains, and disaster-stricken areas. Heat signatures can help search teams spot individuals, especially at night or in low-visibility conditions.
2. Building Inspections: In construction and building inspections, thermal imaging drones can identify areas with poor insulation, moisture intrusion, or potential electrical issues by detecting temperature anomalies within structures.
3. Electrical and Mechanical Inspections: Electricians and maintenance teams use thermal drones to identify overheating electrical components, loose connections, or faulty machinery. This helps in preventing equipment failures and electrical fires.
4. Agriculture: In precision agriculture, thermal imaging drones assess crop health, optimise irrigation, and identify pest infestations. Temperature differences in crops and soil can reveal crucial insights for farmers.
5. Wildlife Monitoring: Conservationists and wildlife researchers use thermal imaging drones to study wildlife behavior, monitor animal populations, and combat poaching. Heat signatures of animals can be detected even in low-light conditions.
6. Firefighting: Firefighters use thermal drones to assess the intensity and direction of fires, locate hotspots, and ensure the safety of personnel during firefighting operations.
7. Environmental Surveys: Thermal imaging drones help scientists and environmentalists monitor ecosystems, detect forest fires, and assess the health of natural environments. Temperature variations can indicate changes in ecological conditions.
8. Security and Surveillance: Thermal imaging drones provide enhanced security and surveillance capabilities for monitoring large areas, detecting intruders, and identifying unauthorised activities in real-time.
9. Oil and Gas Industry: In the oil and gas sector, thermal drones are used for inspecting pipelines, refineries, and other infrastructure, as they can identify leaks or abnormal temperature patterns.
10. Infrastructure Inspection: Engineers use thermal imaging drones for inspecting bridges, dams, and other critical infrastructure to identify structural weaknesses or temperature variations that may indicate structural problems.
Thermal imaging drones have revolutionised many industries by offering a non-invasive and efficient way to assess temperature variations and detect anomalies in real-time. Their versatility and ability to operate in various conditions make them indispensable tools for a wide range of applications.
We offer multiple DJI aircraft that have thermal heat-sensing capabilities. These include; DJI Mavic 3 Thermal (M3T), Matrice 30 Thermal (M30T), & Matrice 350 RTK with the DJI Zenmuse H20T hybrid camera. Each of these drones includes a radiometric thermal camera, and has its own advantages to better suit the end user’s application. It is highly important to select the correct drone for the correct job. The drone that will better suit you is determined by use case, budget, and experience.
What is a radiometric thermal camera?
A radiometric thermal camera is an advanced type of thermal imaging device equipped with the remarkable ability to measure and record temperature data for each individual pixel within an image or video. Unlike non-radiometric thermal cameras, which solely provide a visual representation of temperature variations, radiometric thermal cameras offer invaluable quantitative temperature information for every point depicted in the thermal image.
Key features and advantages of radiometric thermal cameras include:
- Temperature Measurement Precision: These cameras provide highly accurate temperature measurements in both Celsius and Fahrenheit for each individual pixel. This level of precision allows users to identify temperature variations with unparalleled accuracy.
- Temperature Alarm Capabilities: Users have the flexibility to set temperature alarms, ensuring that notifications are received when specific temperature thresholds are reached or exceeded.
- Temperature Data Logging: Radiometric thermal cameras are equipped to record temperature data over time, enabling historical analysis and trend monitoring for informed decision-making.
- Comprehensive Analysis Software: Most radiometric thermal cameras come bundled with specialised software tools that empower users to perform in-depth analysis, make necessary edits, and generate insightful reports based on the captured thermal data. DJI offers the Thermal Analysis Tool software to analyse images captured by thermal drones. There are also some software options available that can convert the thermal images captured from DJI drones to a format that can also be interpreted by FLIR software.
- High Resolution: Many models offer exceptionally high-resolution thermal images, providing the level of detail necessary for comprehensive analysis in various applications.
- IR Fusion Technology: Some radiometric thermal cameras incorporate an innovative IR fusion feature that seamlessly merges thermal and visual images, facilitating easier interpretation and enhanced situational awareness.
These highly specialised cameras serve as indispensable tools in a wide array of industries where precise temperature monitoring and data analysis are of paramount importance for safety, maintenance, and operational optimisation. What sets them apart from standard thermal imaging cameras is their unique ability to provide quantitative temperature data, empowering users to make informed decisions with confidence. The DJI Mavic 3 Thermal, the DJI Matrice 30T, and the DJI Zenmuse H20T all include a radiometric thermal camera.
DJI Thermal Drones Comparison
The table below shows a general comparison of the key specifications for each thermal solution:
| |
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal |
DJI Matrice 30T |
DJI Matrice 350 RTK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Flight Time |
45 minutes |
41 Minutes |
55 minutes |
| Range (CE, Free of Obstacles & Interferance) |
8 km |
8 km |
8 km |
| Remote Controller Screen Size |
5.5" DJI RC Pro Enterprise |
7" DJI RC Plus |
7" DJI RC Plus |
| Ingress Protection |
No |
IP55 |
IP55 |
| Dual Operator Support |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
| Payload |
640*512px 30Hz Radiometric Thermal Camera 48MP 1/2" CMOS RGB Camera 12MP Tele Camera |
640*512px 30Hz Radiometric Thermal Camera 48MP 1/2" CMOS Zoom RGB Camera 12MP Wide Camera Laser Rangefinder |
Supports: DJI Zenmuse P1 45MP Mapping Camera DJI Zenmuse L1 LiDAR DJI Zenmuse H20/T*/N Hybrid Payload Also Supports 3rd-Party Payloads |
| RTK Support |
Yes, Module Sold Sperately |
Yes |
Yes, Survey Grade When Used With P1 & L1 Cameras |
| AI SpotCheck |
No |
Yes |
Yes with H20 Series Camera |
| AI SmartTrack |
No |
Yes |
Yes with H20 Series Camera |
| Zoom |
56x Hybrid Zoom |
200x Hybrid Zoom |
200x Hybrid Zoom with H20 Series |
| Strobe |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| 360 Radar |
No |
No |
Yes, Purchased Separately |
| Weight |
920g |
3770g |
6470g (without payload) |
| Battery Hotswapping |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
* DJI Zenmuse H20T includes:
640*512px 30Hz Radiometric Thermal Camera
20MP 1/1.7" CMOS Zoom RGB Camera
1/1.2"CMOS 12MP Wide Camera
Laser Rangefinder
Design Comparison
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal
The first thing to consider when investing in any of the thermal solutions is the design of the aircraft. The M3T is the compact variation and falls in the sub-2kg category. This is a crucial factor to consider as in Australia, the licensing requirements vary depending on the maximum rated take-off weight for the drone. As it stands, requiring a license to operate the DJI Mavic 3 Thermal would depend on your application and use case. The small nature of the M3T makes it very portable and gives you the ability to carry the drone in a backpack and deploy it quickly when the need arises, this is important to consider when it comes to using drones for search and rescue applications in remote locations. Additionally, the small footprint that the M3T has allows the aircraft to reach positions that larger aircraft cannot. It should be noted that a downside to the M3T is the inability to hot-swap the batteries which can decrease the efficiency of your operations where quick deployment is necessary between back-to-back flights.
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal
DJI Matrice 30T
The M30T on the other hand is a slightly larger aircraft that falls within CASA’s >2kg and sub-7kg category which requires a Remote Pilot License (RePL) to operate, unless flying it over your own property. You may also require a Remote Operator’s Certificate. More information about the licensing can be found through the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) website.
The M30T is a rugged design as it includes IP55 ingress protection allowing the aircraft to withstand more severe conditions than the M3T. The M30T is still relatively portable so it can fit within a backpack. This allows the drone to have the flexibility to be deployed rapidly even with its slightly larger profile. You can now hot-swap the batteries so you do not need to turn off the drone and power it back on after a battery swap which can consume time as the aircraft needs to reinitialise and lock on to sufficient GPS fix. Furthermore, the M30T features a laser range-finder that provides distance measurements in real-time and it provides the M30T with AI-SpotCheck capability for improved repeatability with inspection work, and it also offers AI-SmartTrack for surveillance scenarios. The M30T allows for dual-operator control, so you can effectively have two remote controllers for the aircraft, where one master remote can be used to fly the drone, while the slave remote is used to control the camera, alternatively, you can extend the range of the aircraft by passing over full control of the aircraft to the second operator (please see EVLOS rules to comply with CASA regulations for this type of operation). The M30T uses the DJI RC Plus remote controller with a large 7” display and screen-side buttons. The drone also includes a night-vision FPV camera.
Additionally, the M30T Dock Edition is compatible with DJI Dock which both the M3T and the Matrice 350 RTK currently lack. For more information on the DJI Dock go to DJI Dock: Autonomous Remote Drone Operations.
DJI Matrice 30T
DJI Matrice 350 RTK with DJI Zenmuse H20T
The Matrice 350 RTK is the largest of the three aircraft. This drone has a maximum take-off weight of 9.2kg, therefore, requiring a 25kg type endorsement. Due to the larger footprint, it takes around two minutes to initially deploy and lacks the portability that both the M3T and M30T offer. However, it does feature battery hot-swapping for quick deployment of back-to-back flights. The M350 RTK is the most versatile drone that DJI offers as you can swap between payloads on the go and adapt the drone for various applications. This makes the M350 RTK a great choice for anyone looking to expand the applications of drone technology within their organisation, or if you are looking to become a drone service provider looking to offer a number of solutions, such as asset inspection, surveying, and more through the use of DJI’s and 3rd-party payloads.
When combined with the DJI Zenmuse H20T, the M350 RTK offers many similar features to the DJI Matrice 30T, such as 640*512px radiometric thermal imaging, hybrid-zoom, laser range-finding, AI-SpotCheck, and AI-SmartTrack. The aircraft is also built rugged with IP55 rating, and like the M30T, it also features a night-vision FPV camera.
DJI Matrice 350 RTK
The table below outlines the complete design comparison of each drone in terms of size and weight.
| |
Mavic 3 Thermal |
Matrice 30 Thermal |
Matrice 350 RTK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (L x W x H) |
Folded (without propellers): 221 x 96.3 x 90.3mm Unfolded (without propellers): 347.5 x 283 x 107.7mm |
Folded (without propellers): 365 x 215 x 195mm Unfolded (propellers included): 470 x 585 x 215mm |
Folded (without propellers): 430 x 420 x 430mm Unfolded (propellers included): 810 x 670 x 430mm |
| Weight |
920g |
3770g |
6470g |
| Max Take-off Weight |
1050g |
3998g |
9200g |
Contact us through the form below to learn more about thermal drones, or explore our bundles below:
DJI Mavic 3 Thermal Bundles: https://prismatech.com.au/commercial-drone-products/dji-mavic-3-thermal-packages
DJI Matrice 30 Series Bundles: https://prismatech.com.au/commercial-drone-products/dji-matrice-30-series
DJI Matirce 350 RTK Bundles: https://prismatech.com.au/commercial-drone-products/dji-matrice-350-rtk-packages