Upgrade to DJI Mobile SDK 4.13 (with Mavic Mini support)
Hi,
Looks like DJI released a new Mobile SDK yesterday that introduces support for Mavic Mini. Is it on your Roadmap to upgrade Dronelink to include that?
/Anton
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Comments
31 comments
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360025829933-What-are-the-system-requirements-
"Once they release an update, Dronelink typically adds support within a few days or weeks."
Hi Jim,
Thanks! And apologies for not reading the article thorough enough. Your documentation is great.
Looking forward to step outside the simulator and play with Dronelink in the real world.
It looks like the Mavic Mini support in the new SDK is somewhat limited, due to firmware limitations:
https://forum.dji.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=221255&extra=page%3D1
So simply put, the recent support of the Mavic Mini with MSDK and UXSDK version 4.13 can not expose Waypoint Missions for this litttle guy.
What you can find though in the 4.13 MSDK, are the Quickshot features listed in the Mavic Mini sales page found here: https://www.dji.com/mavic-mini - Rocket, Dronie, Circle and Helix mode.
...
But I'd like to point out that developers can still automate flight with the Mavic Mini by using Virtual Sticks.
Do these limitations impact Dronelink?
Do these limitations impact Dronelink?
No. Dronelink works with a custom flight controller that runs in the app and handles waypoints and all the other cool stuff by sending live commands to the drone.
Anton is correct, Dronelink is not impacted by this limitation. You can read more here:
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036830194-What-happens-if-the-drone-loses-connection-
I think Dronelink with it's Phone Based missions as opposed to Drone Based missions is about to get a whole heap of Mavic Mini customers as Litchi won't support Missions with the new SDK. This is fantastic news and I will definitely be buying Dronelink..Thank you!
Based on this, I am now a signed up Hobby user, I've created my first mission, waiting to get my Mini up - over to you Dronelink - no pressure but... :-)
Just waiting on Apple for TestFlight approval:
Android beta is available now from here:
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360033520874-How-do-I-install-the-beta-native-app-
Mr. Jim McAndrew,
Jim, in this android beta we already have the possibility to run missions, waypoints (paths)?
The beta has full functionality. This is the power of how Dronelink works, it does not depend on DJI.
Cleito Pinto Ribeiro,
You can compare the plans here:
https://app.dronelink.com/subscribe
As Jim answers the Hobbyist plan has full functionality, so you don't need to upgrade to get access to all the mission planning features.
If you are unsecure about how to get startet, why not begin with Dronelink 101:
https://support.dronelink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037672834
I installed the android app
i was able to connect to my Mavic mini
I performed a calibration within the app, successfully
I uploaded a simple plan I had created on my pc simple approach for an orbit
I load my custom plan successfully and I can see the play button for execution
I manually lunch and I am close to the location I have planned
I press execute but I get the message location unavailable
I also tried to load some library component on the fly like a 360 shot
i get the message unable to load , same for any plan in the library on the fly
I hope you can help me or fix any early bugs
that is a game changer for the MM
UPDATE
I had to disable the 'respect restrictions'
It works !!!!
I did a simple destination and orbit mission!
Hi,
The beta app. don't have telemetry yet? RTH? Fly mode? If I want change wifi channel how do I do? All functions available in official app don't still available in your app? Android version.
After testing extensively , I have mixed feelings
for anything related to photos , the app works rather well and offers new functionality
for video , anything using straight lines is ok but when curvature is involved then some jerkiness appears , depending o speed and radius... orbits for example can’t get to the smoothness level of the DJI native app.
i have tried with a Samsung s8+ so far, not sure if a newer phone would be able to control the drone in a smoother way
The DJI native app doesn't allow autonomous missions with the Mavic Mini, so I assume you are comparing the results to larger, more stable (and more expensive) drones? Not sure if that is a fair comparison, and this is probably part of the reason DJI decided to not include autonomous functions for the mini (because it isn't a stable platform in high winds or at high speeds). If you want the highest chance of success, I would recommend slowing it down and widening it out as much as you can. It also doesn't hurt to have a modern mobile device.
Thank you for the very quick SDK adaption and release of the updated mobile app! I've been flying a bit with the IOS version of it today and it works well so far.
I used an iPad Pro and indeed the orbit is somewhat smoother for my MM now
could you look into the AirData integration?
none of the info is being carried over but the flight start time
this Is both with android and iOS
You need to send a bug report to Airdata
Hi Jim
I think it's incredible you have a Waypoint solution up and running for the Mavic Mini so fast. I haven't flown a mission yet but am removing a haze of confusion as I go through all the tutorials and learning about Altitude Range, Approaches, RTH, Component Lists, Waypoints, Maps, Mission Preview, Google Earth Import/Export, Orbits Components etc etc it's just awesome the info in those tutorials and I strongly recommend everyone watching them all before making their first flight.
My question relates to the above and the non-smooth flight being experienced in paths, orbits etc and sounding like it may be due to speed and tightness of turn but also maybe the phone power? This is where I'm a little confused. I'm no programmer but I imagine Dronelink on your phone is artificially generating commands to the controller (wired) which then sends them wirelessly to the Mini . Does it not follow that if you could with the sticks create a smooth path Dronelink just needs to send those same commands to the controller to make a smooth path? Like I say I'm no programmer but that seems logical to me?
I also have one other question. Whenever I fly video runs manually I generally use C (Cinematic) mode for smoothness. Will Dronelink let you change to that? I read somewhere if you change out of P mode you stop the mission instantly but I'm wondering if you do that as a command within the Plan whether it lets you?
Many thanks
Andrew Busst
On the flight performance, see if this answers your question.
On the flight mode, it has to be in P (firmware limitation / requirement).
OK, my update. Firstly, thanks for getting this release out so fast. We've been waiting so long for DJI to add the Mavic Mini to the SDK, and it was really refreshing to see such a fast turnaround from Dronelink.
I managed to get out this weekend and try a test flight, a Map and Orbit to enable me to run a photogrammetry 3d scan on some beach sand dunes near where I live here in Perth, Western Australia.
I'm very impressed with the app, it's pretty surreal to see my drone doing it's own thing! My only comment on the app is that the Mini was always reporting a weak signal - even when it was sitting on the launch pad a metre away from the controller. This never changes, so it's a bit difficult to tell if you are really getting out of range.
This is the mission I flew.
It's available in the Dronelink repo as "Map Dunes".
I then loaded up all the pictures into Meshroom and left it to do it thing for several hours and now I have a 3d terrain map.
Nice work! As far as the weak signal message, that is part of dashboard is part of the DJI UX SDK, so hopefully they will fix the bug in the next version.
Thanks for pointing out Meshroom I will have to look into that.
Looks really nice great job!
That is so cool and yes will have to check out Meshroom
I'm ready to take up the Mini now weather permitting. Thanks Jim for that info on Flight Performance and Flight Mode.
So I have one more question. Am I right in assuming that if I use the Dronelink App for manual flight the various photo options will only be available if available on my Drone?....or is Dronelink sending a series of commands to create those even they don't exist natively on the drone (like mini component commands) e.g I see the app has Burst Mode and Vertical and Horizontal Panos but the Mini does not natively have those? I'm assuming those options wouldn't be available for the mini without doing an On the Fly command?
Thanks
You cannot send commands that your drone / camera does not support. They will result in failing the mission (unless you mark them as not required).
Thanks Jim
Ok I'm pretty excited just completed a very simple mission above my house using a Destination Component and the 360 Photo Component from the Dronelink Repository.
I learned a couple of things...please correct me if I'm wrong..
Couldn't be happier and this is just the start now I have first hand experience at watching Dronelink control my drone. This will now change the way I use the drone and open up many closed doors!
Jim McAndrew iam a new member of dronelink users, just purchased the hobbyist license at friday and i am really impressed about the possibilities (allthough i havent had the time to do a real test yet). i have one question: you wrote that switching the mode to "C cinematic" isnt possible due to firmware limitations and that the it will always be in "P mode". is there any recommended settings for speed (and other things) to archieve the same (or nearly the same) feeling like in C mode ?
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