SHENZHEN, China, Feb. 28, 2019 /PRNewswire/ — DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, is improving its geofencing technology with the launch of its Geospatial Environment Online (GEO) 2.0 system in two dozen countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region. DJI first developed geofencing for its drones in 2013 and the refined GEO 2.0 system is the company’s latest effort to help protect traditional aircraft and promote safe drone operations.
DJI’s GEO 2.0 system creates a detailed three-dimensional “bow tie” safety zone surrounding runway flight paths rather than just simple circles used in earlier geofencing versions. The new system better reflects the actual safety risk posed in those areas and is more flexible in lower-risk areas, for example by permitting authorized users to conduct inspection activities in locations parallel to runways but not near air traffic. DJI’s GEO 2.0 system has been implemented in the United States last year and more recently, in more than two dozen countries across Europe.
“DJI is pleased to introduce our new geofencing system to users who operate their drones in the Asia-Pacific region,” said Adam Welsh, Head of Asia Pacific Public Policy at DJI. “DJI pioneered geofencing for drones, as well as automatic altitude limitations, obstacle avoidance systems and various other initiatives that promote safe drone operations. Safety remains the top priority for the company as the industry continues to explore new and innovative ways to use drones to enhance their workflow and productivity.”
The expansion of geofencing coverage means DJI’s GEO 2.0 system will now cover airports across the Asia-Pacific region. GEO 2.0 applies the strictest geofencing restrictions to a 1.2-kilometer-wide rectangle around each airport runway and the three-dimensional flight paths at either end, where airplanes ascend and descend. This “bow tie” shape opens more areas on the sides of runways to beneficial drone uses, as well as low-altitude areas more than 3 kilometers from the end of a runway, while increasing protection in the locations where traditional aircraft actually fly. More flexible geofencing restrictions apply to an oval area within 6 kilometers of each runway, in order to prompt drone users to make thoughtful flight decisions prior to their operation.
DJI’s GEO 2.0 system will go live this afternoon and will cover 24 countries and territories in the Asia-Pacific region including Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, North Korea, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. DJI customers should update their DJI GO 4 flight control app and aircraft firmware to ensure these improvements are implemented.
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