Leaked images of the next DJI drone, supposedly named the Spark, have surfaced, revealing what looks like a smaller version of the foldable Mavic Pro, one of the best drones of 2016.
It is not yet known when the Spark will be officially unveiled by DJI, but with the leaked images, drone enthusiasts are already looking forward to the Mavic Pro's little brother.
Meet The DJI Spark
Images of the DJI Spark have appeared on the Chinese forums of DJI, but the pictures have since been taken down. It is unclear who originally uploaded the images.
The DJI Spark appears much smaller than the DJI Mavic Pro when its arms are unfolded, and the bottom of the leaked drone looks like it has downward-facing sensors that are likely for positioning purposes. Above the camera at the front of the drone, there is also a panel that may have additional sensors, hinting that it will have an obstacle-avoiding feature.
The camera for the DJI Spark, which is a bit different compared to that of the DJI Mavic Pro, looks like it will only tilt up and down. The design of the battery, meanwhile, is similar to that of the DJI Mavic Pro, but there seems to be four contact points, which may be used for a landing platform or charging dock.
What Will The DJI Spark Be Used For?
While the DJI M200 that was unveiled at MWC 2017 was obviously designed for industrial missions, the purpose of the DJI Spark is not as evident. In various drone forums, there has been speculation that the DJI Spark will be a selfie drone or a racing drone.
The gesture controllers that DJI has released for the Mavic Pro and the Phantom 4, in combination with its small size, could make the DJI Spark a very capable selfie drone, allowing users to take pictures of themselves and their friends from the sky.
However, the combination of its small size and speculated anti-collision feature could also mean that the DJI Spark will primarily target the drone racing crowd. The drone manufacturer may be looking at tapping into the burgeoning market, especially as drone racing is finally starting to enter the mainstream with a three-year deal signed between the International Drone Racing Association and ESPN last year.
When Will DJI Unveil The Spark?
DJI has not yet made an official announcement of the Spark, though the Chinese drone manufacturer was recently found to have filed a trademark for the name.
There are still a variety of questions remaining for the DJI Spark after the leak, including whether the DJI Spark will also have foldable arms like the DJI Mavic Pro despite its smaller size and what its controller would look like. The price of the DJI Spark is also unknown, though it is expected that it will be cheaper than the $1,000 price tag found on the DJI Mavic Pro. Fans of DJI's drones will likely have to wait for the company to make an official announcement to know more about the DJI Spark.
