Executive summary
This report is written in response to a letter of authorization dated 15 September 2020, and aims to convince the DJI design team that the proposed adaptations are of utmost importance in enhancing the user experience, quality of video production and safety of DJI Inspire 2.
The use of drones for videography and filmmaking has increased over the years as it is user-friendly, accessible and cost-efficient. However, due to cases of DJI Inspire 2 experiencing power failure in mid-air and dissatisfactory user experiences, consumers are reconsidering their decision of purchase. Many consumers expressed their concerns with regards to this issue and requested for immediate support from DJI. This report discusses the DJI Inspire 2, the successor of DJI Inspire 1 which is “the first filmmaking drone in the world to integrate an HD video transmission system, 360° rotating gimbal and a 4K camera, as well as the simplicity of app control” (DJI, 2020). This report also identifies areas of improvements by proposing modifications to the current product and benefits of these modifications.
Through researching DJI Inspire 2 online, the drone was reviewed to have firmware issues that other competitors have successfully tackled. To tackle the issues of power failure in mid-air and dissatisfactory user experiences, improvements have been proposed to enhance the safety feature, user experience which leads to better quality video production of DJI Inspire 2.
The proposed modifications of the DJI Inspire 2, which consists of constant software updates and adjustable application for sense and avoid (See Appendix A), will significantly improve the safety feature, user experience and the quality of video production. It will reduce concerns of safety and dissatisfactory user experience, which results in consumers being more confident in DJI Inspire 2’s safety feature and ability to satisfy the needs of a quality video production.
1 Introduction
1.1 Background
According to DJI website (DJI, n.d), DJI Inspire 1 was the first filmmaking drone across the world and DJI Inspire 2 incorporates all the best features from Inspire 1 and further improves it. The DJI Inspire 1 was the first filmmaking drone across the world to coordinate a HD video transmission system, 360 degrees rotating gimbal and a 4K camera. DJI Inspire 2 is based on the emphasis of industrial grade flying cinematography and has reformed the utilization of drones in shooting, implying that filmmaking from the air will never be the same again (Hayley, 2018).
However, even with such advanced cinematic filming function and features, the DJI Inspire 2 is lacking in terms of the firmware and user-defined options to optimize the user experience and video production quality. The problem arises from the obstacle avoidance triggering too quickly and ruining “flyby” shots (Wöber, n.d). The sensors detect obstacles up to 98.4feet (30m) away, this triggers the drone to redirect from its initial flight path, ruining desired shots of the user. This is one of the reasons as mentioned by Wober when the sensors detect the obstacles and move away thus ruining the shots taken.
Due to the firmware issue which led to safety concerns, consumers may consider other company's products such as the Parrot Anafi drone. Parrot has an application downloadable on the smartphone known as Freeflight 6, which is compatible with both Android and IOS devices.
Therefore, improving the DJI Inspire 2 firmware features, the user-defined options are essential to gain the consumers and partners of DJI to trust in DJI’s technology and will continue to support and seek partnership opportunities with DJI. An ideal videography drone should be able to fly autonomously coupled with reliable firmware. The obstacle avoidance should not trigger prematurely as it will ruin the quality of videography production, and the reliability of the firmware to ensure the safety of the public and optimize user experience.
1.2 Problem statement
DJI Inspire 2 has a lack of user optimization and firmware issues which endangers the user and the surroundings. To curb the issues, safety features should be implemented with an integration of regular firmware updates.
1.3 Purpose statement
This report proposes that the design team of DJI implement additional firmware features to prevent any safety lapses and user-defined options for optimal user experience and video production quality.
2 Proposed Modification
The drone currently has Sense and Avoid, Intelligent Flight Modes and Smart Return to Home features. Further implementing additional features on the DJI Inspire 2, will prevent any safety lapses and improve the overall safety factor of the user and the surroundings.
2.1 Constant Software Updates
A possible enhancement for the DJI Inspire 2 would be implementing constant software updates. This is to ensure the firmware is up to date and minimize the chances of having bugs in the program. This is one of the safety features that Parrot uses to keep the firmware constantly up to date. Parrot uses an application known as FreeFlight 6 which is compatible on both IOS and Android devices. “Upon startup, the system will launch all the firmware updates via the smartphone and upload the files directly to the controller and drone. There is no need to plug the drone separately into a computer or load any files on the memory card. The whole process is hassle free and takes place automatically over the air” (Kmia, 2018). Implementation of constant software update through an application on a smartphone is convenient and it minimizes any bugs in the program to prevent further safety lapses and safety of the public. An emergency software feature can also be implemented through the software update via smartphone. The emergency program is not linked with the main program. When the emergency program senses that there is a problem in the main program, it will overwrite the main program and the drone will immediately return to its owner and land safely via Smart Return To Home Safety Mode. Once this emergency feature is executed, the main program will be overwritten and the consumer needs to bring it to the service centre where DJI will investigate the issue and reset the drone’s system.
2.2 Adjustable Application Function for Sense and Avoid
Another possible enhancement to the DJI Inspire 2 is the implementation of additional firmware features to allow the user to modify the obstacle avoidance trigger distance to enable any close in flyby shots as required by the user. This is a feature that the Parrot Anafi, a film making drone, indirectly implements (Kmia, 2018). As Parrot Anafi does not include a front and a back obstacle avoidance trigger, it does not pose an interruption for users to have close flyby shots. However, this can be challenging for beginners as it will increase the probability of having collisions.
DJI Inspire 2 has two obstacle detectors; one that can detect obstacles up to 30 meters ahead and one that can scan for obstacles 5 meters above (Corrigan, 2019). However due to the fact that the trigger distance is not adjustable, users had unsatisfactory experience as the obstacle avoidance triggers too quickly and ruins flyby shots (Wöber, 2016). As a result, having the flexibility to modify the obstacle avoidance trigger distance optimizes the user experience as it provides a balance for advanced and beginner pilots.
3 Benefits
The risk of a crash or a missed opportunity of a scenic view will be significantly reduced with the implementations of constant software updates and adjustable function on DJI Inspire 2.
If there are no crashes users will unlikely spend huge amounts of money and time in terms of part replacement or repairs. Majority of the money can be redirected to maintain the serviceability of the drone or further enhancements to improve the video quality or overall productivity.
Optimizes Users’ Experience
The additional firmware feature ensures that the user has the flexibility to modify obstacle avoidance trigger detection distance so as to not ruin any close in flyby shots. As a result, this will greatly improve the user experience as they have the freedom to adjust the trigger distance based on their preferred conditions.
4 Evaluation
Despite all the benefits of implementing constant software update and adjustable function features, challenges are still unavoidable. The up to date softwares and servicing of the drones will require the DJI’s product team to constantly keep up to date and maintain the integrity of the product.
The constant software update, the servicing of drones if the emergency program was executed and adjustable function feature requires DJI’s team to constantly develop, improve the program of the drone and technicians are required to service the drones and review the function. This requires the design team to develop a separate emergency program which will only be executed if it senses a bug in the main program.
The design team will need to incorporate an adjustable function feature with a precalculated minimum distance to avoid early reroutes from obstacles and accident prevention. The user will be able to input their desired distance to get their shots as closeup as possible. These will lead to a surge in production cost due to increase of workload, production time and manpower of the DJI team. The surge in cost and time production will sequentially lead to the increase in price of the drone and it may not be as enticing to consumers and they may consider other brands due to the hefty price and the long wait before the product is ready to be sold.
However, the implementation of constant software updates will significantly reduce the chances of the drone crashing as the software will be constantly debugged and updated. A safety feature of an emergency program will be implemented to further minimize the chances of the drone crashing in case of a bug in the main program. On top of that, the implementation of the adjustable function features will significantly improve the video production quality and enhance the user experience.
Therefore, the price of the drone and longer wait due to production with the implementations of these features is worth every buck. A blog on Cannon & Dunphy, Attorney At Law website states the importance of ensuring product safety, so that it will not cause harm to consumers (Cannon & Dunphy, n.d.). Henceforth, if DJI accepts the proposed ideas and enhances the safety and user experience of the drone, the reputation of the drone and the company will be upheld and the trust of the consumers will be gained due to the reliability and optimal user experience of DJI and its products. The overall improvement of the drone will benefit the longevity of DJI and its products in the ever evolving market.
5 Methodology
Secondary research sources are obtained as a reference for relevant information for the report.
Secondary Research
In order for a convincing design proposal, an in-depth research on the product along with features that were available on the product was conducted online. Reviews were read from the consumers who have hands-on experiences with the product, thus using the cons as possible modifications to improve the product. The official webpage is also used to support the findings. The reviews made by consumers were used as areas for improvement and modifications for the product.
6 Conclusion Statement
In conclusion, in order to make DJI Inspire 2 a more user-friendly and ideal product, modifications such as constant software updates and adjustable functions for sense and avoid could be implemented. The improvement in the features allows the drone to be equipped with the latest software and allow users to capture optimal or desired flyby shots up close. If DJI includes all the modifications to improve the current Inspire 2, it will increase the productivity of film-making and videography thus producing ideal results while ensuring the safety of the user and the surroundings.