DJI has revealed the Manifold 2 — the second gen of its Manifold onboard drone computer. The device facilitates the development of more advanced autonomous drones, especially for business applications.
The Manifold 2 aims to improve on the onboard computing capabilities of DJI drones. The device allows users to “process complex image data onboard the drone and get results immediately,” according to DJI. The computer can program drones to fly autonomously while identifying objects and avoiding obstacles.
“Through partnerships with some of the industry’s leading computing companies and chip manufacturers, we are enabling DJI drones to become intelligent flying robots that can perform complex computing tasks and advanced image processing literally on the fly,” said Jan Gasparic, DJI Director of Strategic Partnerships at DJI.
What’s it packing?
The system comes in two models. One uses an Intel Core i7 CPU and the other features the Nvidia Jetson TX2 GPU. Both versions support Matrice 210 and 600 series drones, and users can also connect multiple devices into the device. It has a variety of ports, including USB, UART and CAN.
The Manifold 2 is intended for enterprise users
DJI designed this system for business and industry applications.
“Manifold 2 expands the use cases of drone technology exponentially by allowing businesses, developers and researchers to build the most advanced autonomous aerial robotics solutions for nearly any industry or task,” said Gasparic.
Pricing and availability
The Manifold 2 is now out on DJI site for $1,379 for the Intel version. As for the Nvidia version, it costs $1,099. You can learn more on DJI’s website.
