Onboard Compatibilty
Hey everyone!
We have been hard at work on adding onboard compatibility for DJI drones that support uploading waypoints *, and this feature is now available for testing in the latest Dronelink beta (v3.0.0).
You can access the beta web app here. It may ask you to login again - just use the same username/password as the production website.
You can get the beta native app as normal here.
Once you have the beta, there are three ways to access the feature:
- Open an existing mission plan and click Settings (...) > Convert > DJI Waypoints
- Create a new mission plan from the DJI Waypoints template in the create dialog
- Create a new blank mission plan and add a DJI Waypoints component from the new component menu
This feature has been in the works for quite a while, and the reason we spent so much time was because a) there are already many other apps that support uploading waypoints and b) we didn't want to release a clone of these apps with all the same annoying limitations.
We believe the Dronelink implementation of this feature is better in many key ways (see list below), and it can even improve over time due to the unique approach we developed to overcome many of the underlying limitations of DJI's waypoint system (e.g. pushing logic into the converter and making it better with future updates / optimizations).
Multiple Components
Dronelink mission plans can effectively run multiple DJI Waypoint missions without requiring the user to open each new mission. Each DJI waypoint mission is just another component of the same mission plan.
Unlimited Waypoints
Dronelink effectively supports unlimited waypoints because missions that go over 99 waypoints can be split into multiple components. Each set of waypoints does need to be uploaded after the previous waypoints finish, so you do need to have a connection between components.
Powerful Converter
Dronelink allows you to convert any normal mission plan into a DJI Waypoints mission plan, meaning that you can take advantage of all the great features of the Dronelink mission planner (estimates, mission preview, etc) and there are even some optimizations for specific types of components such as:
- Path - handles bezier curves - not just straight segments between waypoints
- Map - uses waypoint actions with distance-based triggering
- Inspection - takes full advantage of waypoint actions
Smart Mission Resuming
Dronelink supports resuming anywhere along the path of a waypoint mission, not just from specific waypoints, and it automatically remembers this location (it doesn't need to ask you to enter a waypoint to resume from). Like normal Dronelink missions, you can resume across batteries, devices, drones, users, etc.
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For general questions or comments about this feature, please respond to this thread. If you have specific bug reports, please create new threads.
* Supported drones include Phantoms, Mavic pros, etc. We have not magically found a way to upload waypoints to drones that do not support this feature in the DJI SDK (Mavic Mini, Mavic Air 2, etc).
Comments
20 comments
Does this update include onboard support for the Mavic Air2?
Or do I have to break out the Phantom 3 Pro?
Thanks for the great app!
Supported drones include Phantoms, Mavic pros, etc. We have not magically found a way to upload waypoints to drones that do not support this feature in the DJI SDK (Mavic Minis, Mavic Air 2s, etc).
Like I already said:
The s on Minis and 2s just mean plural, not the Mavic Air 2S (corrected that in the OP).
Thanks for the clarification.
Does the new beta support the Mavic AIR 1, Mavic 2 Pro?
Litchi:
How?
Yes, it supports any drone that the DJI SDK allows onboard waypoint uploads.
I believe they implemented "waypoint mode" with virtual sticks, but you will have to ask them to be sure.
Will the onboard waypoints make the movement smoother?
Possibly, but virtual stick waypoints are already smooth on the drones that support onboard compatibility. It's the Mavic Minis of the world (read: no ocusync) that struggle sometimes.
Like I said, if you have questions about Litchi, you should ask Litchi support.
Should be back up now.
Hi again Jim,
Thanks for that. One other question. I have both a hobbyist account, and a mapping account. Is there a way I can use the terrain follow function I have access to in the hobbyist account, with the DJI waypoint functionality in the mapping account?
I want to map a landslide on Friday and having both functions would be fantastic.
Thank you,
Ben
You have to be on the Starter plan or higher to get terrain follow.
But I have access to it on my hobbyist account already? I just do not have the DJI waypoint functionality for that account.
If you have the legacy hobbyist plan, then yes, you have terrain follow. You can see the full list of your features here.
Correct, we cannot and do not always retro-actively add new features to legacy plans as new features often require a significant amount of resources to develop and users need to upgrade to newer plans to get access. Adding all new features to legacy plans is not a sustainable business model.
I assume the connection between DJI waypoint sets must be at a location within radio signal?
Thanks to everyone who tested this feature - it is now released with 3.0.0. Enjoy!
Support Onboard Compatibilty dji mini 3 pro?
Thnx for asking. However as notified some two years ago, Mini series doesn't support that. Instead it's all about VSM Virtual Stick Mode. With that said, all DJI drones controlled w with DJI fly app doesn't allow uploading of wp missions in aircraft.
However the previous ones controlled by DJI GO4 does.
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