DJI Dock 4 Enables 25-Second Battery Swaps for Matrice 5TD
DJI has launched the Dock 4, an automated docking system that swaps a drone's battery in 25 seconds. Paired with the new Matrice 5TD, it allows for continuous operations in extreme temperatures from -40°C to 50°C.
DJI's Dock 4 automates battery swaps in 25 seconds, enabling continuous operations in temperatures from -40°C to 50°C. The system replaces a typical 30-minute recharge time, getting the new Matrice 5TD drone back into the air rapidly for time-sensitive missions. This is DJI's first automated docking system with battery swapping capability.
"DJI wants its enterprise drones back in the air in 25 seconds," the company said. The dock provides battery air-conditioning or pre-heating to ensure reliable performance in harsh environments. It is designed for applications in public safety, emergency response, and heavy-duty infrastructure monitoring. The Dock 4 also supports custom payloads like spotlights or parachutes. It is not available for purchase in the United States.
Matrice 5TD Performance and Capabilities
The Matrice 5TD delivers extended flight time, advanced sensing, and high-resolution imaging for demanding missions. Its onboard systems are built for complex detection and navigation tasks.
The drone's key specifications are detailed in the table below.
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Flight Time | Up to 59 minutes |
| Max Speed | 21 meters per second |
| Wind Resistance | Up to 12 meters per second |
| Video Transmission Latency | As low as 160 milliseconds |
| Accessory Payload Support | Up to 450 grams |
| Laser Rangefinder | Up to 3 kilometers |
It features a thermal imaging camera with up to 2560 × 2048 resolution and an 11x telephoto camera with a 252mm equivalent focal length. This allows it to capture details from up to 400 meters away and offers 32x night zoom capability. The system includes 4K full-color night vision without requiring a spotlight.
Fusion Mode combines visible-light and infrared imagery for comprehensive structural and heat distribution analysis. The onboard AI can identify 17 types of objects in real-time, including vehicles, boats, and animals. For obstacle detection, it uses six-directional vision sensing, three-directional millimeter-wave radar, and rotating LiDAR. This suite enables wire-level obstacle detection even during nighttime operations. Detected objects can trigger automated alerts via SMS or email and prompt drone actions like hovering or recording.
Operational Compliance and Deployment
The system meets regulatory requirements and supports critical public safety applications through automated docking. The Matrice 5TD includes a Flight Termination System for C6 compliance in certain markets.
DJI FlightHub 2 software enables text or image-based object searches within captured data. For extended communication in obstructed locations, the DJI O4 Ground Station accessory is available. Competitor systems typically require between 90 seconds and 2 minutes for a battery swap, making DJI's 25-second cycle notably faster. The rapid swap cycle enables continuous operations for public safety and infrastructure monitoring missions.
