Engineering:DJI Inspire
| Inspire | |
|---|---|
Inspire 2 in flight | |
| General information | |
| Type | Camera drone |
| National origin | China |
| Manufacturer | DJI |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 2014–present |
| Introduction date | November 2014 |
The DJI Inspire is a series of quadcopter camera drones released by the Chinese technology company DJI.
Design and development


DJI announced the first model, the Inspire 1, on 13 November 2014.[1] Built upon lessons learned from the Phantom 2 and Spreading Wings series, the Inspire 1 was designed for professional cinematography and features a Zenmuse X3 gimbal/camera[note 1] with a 12-megapixel 1/2.3" CMOS Sony Exmor sensor capable of shooting 4K video at 30 frames per second (FPS).[2][3] The arms and landing legs retract upward in flight, allowing the three-axis camera gimbal to rotate 360 degrees without obstruction.[3] The drone also features an "Optical Flow" system, which uses a downward-facing camera and ultrasonic sensors to navigate indoors, and is powered by four 350 KV Model 3510 motors driving Model 1345 or 1345s propellers.[2][3][4] Power is provided by a 4500 mAh TB47 battery, though an optional 5700 mAh TB48 battery was also available, giving the drone a maximum flight time of about 18 minutes.[2] The drone was designed to be future-proof, with the camera being detachable to allow upgrades as DJI camera technology improved.[3][5] Two such upgrades were announced in September 2015, when DJI released the 16MP Zenmuse X5 and X5R Micro Four Thirds cameras; the latter differing in that it is capable of shooting raw images.[6] Another upgrade came in November 2015, when DJI swapped the original 350 KV motors for new 420 KV Model 3510H motors with an updated propeller locking system; a change intended to improve performance and controllability while not impacting flight time.[7]
Several additional versions of the Inspire 1 were also released, including the Inspire 1 Raw and Pro. The Raw and Pro variants are respectively equipped with the Zenmuse X5R and X5 camera/gimbal as standard. Both are also powered by Model 3510H motors driving Model 1345T propellers and have a maximum flight time of about 15 minutes with a standard TB47 battery, increased to about 18 minutes with the optional TB48.[8][9] The Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition was released in January 2016, replacing the standard white body shell and controller, with matte black versions.[10][11] The Inspire 1 V2.0 retained the Zenmuse X3 and Model 3510 motors of the original Inspire 1, but uses Model 1345T propellers.[12]
The Inspire 2 was released alongside the Phantom 4 Pro in November 2016.[13] The body of the drone is made of a magnesium-aluminum alloy, and features forward, upward, and downward-facing obstacle avoidance sensors.[13][14] The Inspire 2 is powered by four Model 3512 motors driving 1550T propellers, and features a dual-battery system with two 4280 mAh TB50 batteries. The drone was offered without a camera or with a 20MP 1" CMOS Zenmuse X4S or a 20.8MP 3/4" CMOS Zenmuse X5S camera/gimbal; the latter being capable of raw imaging and having a swappable lens.[14][15][16][17] Flight time with a Zenmuse X4S is 27 minutes, while the X5S reduces it to 25 minutes.[15][18] The Zenmuse X7 is also compatible with the Inspire 2, though with a reduced flight time of 23 minutes.[15] In addition to the main camera, the Inspire 2 also has a forward-facing first-person view (FPV) camera allowing the drone to be operated by two individuals; a pilot (using the forward-facing camera) and a main camera operator.[14] The Inspire 2 ProRes and Inspire 2 L were offered alongside the baseline Inspire 2, differing in that the former has Apple ProRes pre-activated while the latter has both ProRes and CinemaDNG.[15] DJI announced in January 2022 that the Inspire 2 series would be discontinued the following month in favor of the Inspire 3.[19]
Announced in April 2023, the Inspire 3 features a more aerodynamic design than its predecessors.[20][21] The Inspire 3 retains the two-person control capability of the Inspire 2, but features an FPV camera with a night vision sensor and a Zenmuse X9-8K Air primary camera/gimbal with interchangeable lenses capable of shooting 8K CinemaDNG video at 25 FPS or 8K ProRes RAW video at 75 FPS; both requiring a license key to use.[21][22] The drone features an O3 Pro video transmission system, omnidirectional collision avoidance, GNSS and real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning capabilities with GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou satellites, and is powered by four Model 3511s motors driving either Model 1671 standard propellers or Model 1676 high-altitude propellers.[21][23][24] Two 4280 mAh TB51 batteries give the Inspire 3 a flight time of about 28 minutes with the landing legs extended or 26 minutes when retracted.[23]
Variants

- Inspire 1
- Company designation Model T600, also known as the Inspire 1 V1.0.[2][25] First model with a removable Zenmuse X3 camera/gimbal with a 12MP 1/2.3" CMOS Sony Exmor sensor, 350 KV Model 3510 motors driving Model 1345 or 1345s propellers.[2][3][4][5] Power is provided by a 4500 mAh TB47 battery or optional 5700 mAh TB48 battery, giving it a flight time of about 18 minutes.[2] Introduced in November 2014.[1] Optional 16MP Zenmuse X5 and X5R camera/gimbals were offered starting in September 2015.[6] 420 KV Model 3510H motors were made standard in November 2015.[7]
- Inspire 1 Raw
- Company designation Model T600.[8] As Inspire 1 but with a Zenmuse X5R camera/gimbal and Model 3510H motors driving Model 1345T propellers as standard. Flight time is about 15 minutes with a standard TB47 battery or about 18 minutes with a TB48.[8][9]
- Inspire 1 Pro
- Company designation Model T600.[9] As Inspire 1 Raw but with a Zenmuse X5 camera/gimbal as standard. Flight time is about 15 minutes with a standard TB47 battery or about 18 minutes with a TB48.[8][9]
- Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition
- As Inspire 1 Pro but with a matte black body shell and controller. Introduced in January 2016.[10][11]
- Inspire 1 V2.0
- Company designation Model T601.[26] As early Inspire 1 with Zenmuse X3 camera/gimbal and Model 3510 motors but with Model 1345T propellers.[12]
- Inspire 2
- Company designation Model T650A.[15] Improved model with a magnesium-aluminum alloy structure, a forward-facing FPV camera, Model 3512 motors driving 1550T propellers, and forward, upward, and downward-facing obstacle avoidance sensors.[13][14][15][16][17] Drone could be bought without a primary camera, a 20MP 1" CMOS Zenmuse X4S camera/gimbal, a 20.8MP 3/4" CMOS Zenmuse X5S camera/gimbal, or a Zenmuse X7 camera/gimbal. Dual 4280 mAh TB50 batteries give the drone a flight time between 23 to 28 minutes depending on the camera installed.[15] Released alongside the Phantom 4 Pro in November 2016.[13]
- Inspire 2 ProRes
- Company designation Model T650A. As Inspire 2 but with Apple ProRes pre-activated.[15]
- Inspire 2 L
- Company designation Model T650A. As Inspire 2 but with Apple ProRes and CinemaDNG pre-activated.[15]
- Inspire 3
- Company designation Model T740.[23] Improved model with a more aerodynamic design, a night vision FPV camera, a Zenmuse X9-8K Air primary camera/gimbal, an O3 Pro video transmission system, omnidirectional collision avoidance, GNSS and real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, and Model 3511s motors driving either Model 1671 standard propellers or Model 1676 high-altitude propellers.[21][22][23][24] Dual 4280 mAh TB51 batteries give the drone a flight time of about 28 minutes with the landing legs extended or 26 minutes when retracted.[23] Released in April 2023.[20]
Operators
Government operators
United States
- New York City Police Department introduced the Inspire 1 for training and testing purposes in 2018.[27]
Military operators
Chile
- Chilean Army introduced the Inspire 2 in 2018.[28]
Colombia
- Colombian Air Force introduced the Inspire 1 in 2016. Two were still in service as of 2019.[28]
France
- French Armed Forces used the Inspire as of 2019.[28]
Lithuania
- Lithuanian Land Forces used the Inspire as of 2019.[28]
Non-state operators
Ukraine
- Azov Regiment introduced the Inspire 1 in 2016.[29] The Inspire was still in Ukrainian paramilitary service as of 2019.[28]
Specifications (Inspire 3)
Data from [23]
General characteristics
- Width: 0.695 m (2 ft 3 in) diagonal, landing gear raised
- Empty weight: 3.995 kg (9 lb) with camera
- Max takeoff weight: 4.310 kg (10 lb)
- Battery: 2 × 4280 mAh 23.1V lithium-ion TB51 Intelligent Flight Battery
- Powerplant: 4 × DJI 3511s brushless motor
- Propellers: 2-bladed DJI 1671 standard propellers or DJI 1676 high-altitude propellers
Performance
- Maximum speed: 94 km/h (58 mph, 51 kn)
- Endurance: ≈28 minutes with landing gear lowered, ≈26 minutes with landing gear raised
- Service ceiling: 3,800 m (12,500 ft) with standard propellers or 7,000 m (23,000 ft) with high-altitude propellers
- Rate of climb: 8 m/s (1,600 ft/min)
Avionics
- Camera:
- 8K Zenmuse X9-8K Air gimballed camera with 35 mm (1.4 in) full-frame CMOS sensor
- 1920×1080 first-person view camera with night vision sensor
- Transmission system: O3 Pro
See also
Related lists
Notes
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Announcing the DJI Inspire 1 Drone" (in en). https://www.dji.com/newsroom/news/announcing-the-dji-inspire-1.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Inspire 1 User Manual V1.8. DJI. September 2015. https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/inspire_1/en/Inspire%20_1_User_Manual__V1.8.pdf.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "The 4K DJI Inspire 1 takes to the air - what are the advantages for real world shooters?" (in en-US). 2014-11-13. https://www.newsshooter.com/2014/11/13/the-4k-dji-inspire-1-takes-to-the-air-what-are-the-advantages-for-real-world-shooters/.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "DJI announces 4K-shooting, landing-gear-raising Inspire 1 drone" (in en-US). 2014-11-14. https://newatlas.com/dji-inspire-1-4k-quadcopter/34745/.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Zhang, Michael (2014-11-13). "DJI Inspire 1: A Sleek Drone That Brings Easy 4K Aerial Imagery to the Masses" (in en). https://petapixel.com/2014/11/12/dji-inspire-1-sleek-drone-lets-capture-high-end-aerial-imagery-4k-12mp/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Archambault, Michael (2015-09-11). "DJI Launches ZENMUSE X5 and X5R Micro Four Thirds Cameras for the Inspire 1" (in en). https://petapixel.com/2015/09/11/dji-launches-zenmuse-x5-and-x5r-micro-four-thirds-cameras-for-the-inspire-1/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 "New Inspire Props and Motors and a Flying Computer - heliguy™". https://www.heliguy.com/blogs/posts/new-inspire-props-and-motors-and-a-flying-computer/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 Inspire 1 Raw User Manual V1.2. DJI. December 2017. https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/INSPIRE%201%20series/20201123/INSPIRE_1_RAW_User_Manual_EN_20201123.pdf.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Inspire 1 Pro User Manual V1.4. DJI. December 2017. https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/INSPIRE%201%20series/20201123/INSPIRE_1_PRO_User_Manual_20201123.pdf.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 "CES 2016: DJI adds 4K Phantom 3 quadcopter and new black paint job for Inspire 1 Pro" (in en-US). 2016-01-04. https://www.newsshooter.com/2016/01/04/ces-2016-dji-adds-4k-phantom-3-quadcopter-and-new-black-paint-job-for-inspire-1-pro/.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Goldman, Joshua. "DJI Phantom 3 4K review: Phantom 3 4K and Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition add variety to DJI's drone lineups" (in en). https://www.cnet.com/reviews/dji-phantom-3-4k-preview/.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Inspire 1 User Manual V2.2. DJI. December 2017. https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/INSPIRE+1+series/20171221/INSPIRE_1_V2.0_User_Manual_EN.pdf.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 "DJI Raises Bar For Aerial Imaging With Two New Flying Cameras - DJI" (in en). 2016-11-16. https://www.dji.com/newsroom/news/dji-raises-bar-for-aerial-imaging-with-two-new-flying-cameras.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Poland, Ty (2016-11-15). "The Long Awaited Inspire 2 Is Finally Here (And So Is The Phantom 4 Pro)" (in en). https://fstoppers.com/aerial/long-awaited-inspire-2-finally-here-and-so-phantom-4-pro-153816.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 15.8 Inspire 2 Series User Manual V2.4. DJI. June 2022. https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/inspire_2/20230406UM/INSPIRE_2_SERIES_User_Manual_EN_0406.pdf.
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 ePHOTOzine (2016-11-16). "DJI Phantom 4 Pro And Inspire 2 Announced With New Cameras" (in en). https://www.ephotozine.com/article/dji-phantom-4-pro-and-inspire-2-announced-30217.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 French, Sally (2016-11-15). "DJI's $2,999 Inspire 2 targets professional photographers" (in en-US). https://www.thedronegirl.com/2016/11/15/dji-inspire-2/.
- ↑ "Interbee 2016: DJI Inspire 2 - how does it compare to the Inspire 1?" (in en-US). 2016-11-16. https://www.newsshooter.com/2016/11/16/interbee-2016-dji-inspire-2-how-does-it-compare-to-the-the-inspire-1/.
- ↑ "DJI INSPIRE 2 WILL BE DISCONTINUED IN FEBRUARY" (in en-US). 2022-01-27. https://dronexl.co/2022/01/27/dji-inspire-2-discontinued/.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 "DJI’s New Inspire 3 Is The World’s Ultimate Cinema Drone - DJI" (in en). https://www.dji.com/newsroom/news/djis-new-inspire-3-is-the-worlds-ultimate-cinema-drone.
- ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 21.3 Shakir, Umar (2023-04-13). "DJI’s new Inspire 3 is a flying 8K movie-making camera under a powerful drone" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/2023/4/13/23680397/dji-inspire-3-8k-drone-announcement.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 Prasad. "DJI Inspire 3 announced with full-frame 8K sensor and $16k price tag" (in en-US). https://www.gsmarena.com/dji_inspire_3_announced_with_fullframe_8k_sensor_and_16k_price_tag-news-58253.php.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 23.4 23.5 DJI Inspire 3 User Manual v3.0. DJI. September 2024. https://dl.djicdn.com/downloads/inspire_3/20241016UM/DJI_Inspire_3_User_Manual_V3.0_EN.pdf.
- ↑ 24.0 24.1 McNabb, Miriam (2023-04-13). "DJI Releases Inspire 3: Fully Redesigned, Cinema-Grade Drone (Check out the Images and Video)" (in en-US). https://dronelife.com/2023/04/13/dji-releases-inspire-3-fully-redesigned-cinema-grade-drone/.
- ↑ "Support for Inspire 1 V1.0" (in en). https://www.dji.com/support/product/inspire-1.
- ↑ DJI Inspire 1 V2.0 FCC label. Federal Communications Commission. https://fccid.io/SS3-WM6101510/Label/FCC-ID-Label-2799189.pdf.
- ↑ "NYPD Unveils New Unmanned Aircraft System Program". 2018-12-04. https://www.nyc.gov/site/nypd/news/p1204a/nypd-new-unmanned-aircraft-system-program#/0.
- ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 28.4 Gettinger, Dan (October 2019). "The Drone Databook". https://dronecenter.bard.edu/files/2019/10/CSD-Drone-Databook-Web.pdf.
- ↑ Шинко, підготував Андрій (2016-12-06). "Зусиллям волонтерів на озброєння полку «Азов» надійшов новий квадрокоптер DJI Inspire 1" (in UK). https://www.ukrmilitary.com/2016/12/dji-inspire-1.html.
External links
