DJI used the conference to introduce a new tool set, including upgrades to the company’s software development kit. DJI says that the upgrades represent “a major expansion of its software ecosystem that allows developers to create drone apps and control drone operations that will bring aerial technology into a wide range of professional activities.”
DJI’s prosumer drones have quickly established the manufacturer as a major force in the commercial market, giving the company a huge advantage in the segment while other manufacturers such as California’s 3DR struggle to catch up. Improving upon their Mobile and Onboard Software Development Kit (SDK) offerings is another jump ahead for DJI: the more enterprise apps on their platform, the more enterprise demand is created. And the easier that DJI makes it to develop those apps and bring them to market, the more appealing that platform is to drone developers with new ideas. “By opening and simplifying the software that operates drones,” says a company announcement, “DJI wants developers to build on each others’ accomplishments to develop custom solutions for their own businesses or broadly distribute solutions for entire industries.”
“DJI works hard to satisfy the needs of professional drone customers, and our SDK updates are another example of our commitment to developing the hardware and software to expand enterprise drone use,” DJI’s North American Corporate Communication Director Adam Lisberg tells DRONELIFE. “From off-the-shelf solutions to custom applications, DJI wants drone service companies as well as end users to know that DJI is committed to the enterprise market and is paying close attention to the best ways to help enterprise users achieve their goals.”
With a large global organization, an R & D powerhouse and the lion’s share of the consumer market, as DJI focuses on enterprise they pose serious competition for other manufacturers in the space.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
TWITTER:@spaldingbarker
Subscribe to DroneLife here.