DJI Prepares to Launch Sub-250-Gram Mavic Mini Drone
DJI is set to reveal a new consumer drone at its upcoming "Fly As You Are" event, with rumors pointing to a lightweight Mavic Mini. The compact drone reportedly weighs under 250 grams, which allows users to bypass standard drone registration requirements.
DJI hosts its "Fly As You Are" event on October 30 to unveil a new consumer drone, ending a long wait since the release of the Mavic 2 series in August 2018. Rumors and FCC documents strongly indicate that the company introduces the Mavic Mini, a miniature drone designed to replace the Spark as DJI's entry-level option.
The new drone weighs under 250 grams, which places it below the registration threshold established by aviation authorities around the world. This lightweight design means buyers potentially avoid registering their aircraft or taking any kind of pilot exam before flying. Additionally, because it falls under the weight limit, the drone does not include the AirSense safety feature that DJI plans to mandate for all heavier models released in 2020.
The event's "Wherever you are, fly as you are" tagline hints at a highly portable device that users control primarily through a mobile smartphone. Industry watchers wait to see if DJI upgrades the older Spark's 1080p camera to a higher resolution and what other specific safety features the new drone includes when the launch begins at 9 AM eastern time.