DJI Inspire
| Industry | Technology, Drone manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | China |
| Products | Inspire series drones |
The DJI Inspire series comprises a range of quadcopter camera drones developed and marketed by the Chinese technology company DJI.
Design and development
Launched on 13 November 2014, DJI unveiled the Inspire 1 as an advancement over the Phantom 2 and DJI Spreading Wings lines, targeting professional filmmakers. It came equipped with a Zenmuse X3 gimbal and camera featuring a 12-megapixel Sony Exmor CMOS sensor capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. The drone’s design includes retractable arms and landing gear that enable a full 360-degree unobstructed camera rotation. For navigation, it utilizes an "Optical Flow" system that combines a downward-facing camera with ultrasonic sensors. Propulsion is provided by four 350 KV Model 3510 motors paired with Model 1345 or 1345s propellers. Power is supplied by a 4500 mAh TB47 battery, while an optional larger 5700 mAh TB48 battery extends flight duration up to approximately 18 minutes. The modular camera mount allows for future upgrades. In September 2015, DJI introduced the higher-resolution Zenmuse X5 and X5R Micro Four Thirds cameras, with the X5R supporting raw image capture. Later in November 2015, motor upgrades to the 420 KV Model 3510H and improved propeller locking mechanisms enhanced performance without sacrificing flight time.
The lineup includes the Inspire 1 Raw and Pro models, which are fitted with Zenmuse X5R and X5 cameras respectively, powered by Model 3510H motors equipped with Model 1345T propellers. Flight endurance ranges from roughly 15 minutes using the TB47 battery to about 18 minutes with the TB48 battery. In January 2016, DJI launched the Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition featuring a matte black finish on both the drone body and controller. The Inspire 1 V2.0 model retained the Zenmuse X3 camera and Model 3510 motors but switched to Model 1345T propellers.
The Inspire 2 was introduced in November 2016 alongside the Phantom 4 Pro. Constructed from a magnesium-aluminum alloy frame, it incorporates obstacle avoidance sensors positioned forward, upward, and downward. This model is powered by four Model 3512 motors driving 1550T propellers and uses dual TB50 batteries (each with a capacity of 4280 mAh). Available camera options include configurations without a camera, a 20MP Zenmuse X4S featuring a 1-inch CMOS sensor, or a Zenmuse X5S with a 20.8MP Micro Four Thirds sensor supporting interchangeable lenses and raw image formats. Flight durations are approximately 27 minutes when equipped with the X4S and around 25 minutes using the X5S; compatibility with the Zenmuse X7 reduces flight time to about 23 minutes. The Inspire 2 also features a forward-facing FPV camera enabling dual-operator control—one pilot and one camera operator. Variants include the Inspire 2 ProRes model (with Apple ProRes pre-activated) and the Inspire 2 L edition (offering both ProRes and CinemaDNG formats). DJI discontinued the Inspire 2 series in January 2022, replacing it with the Inspire 3.
Revealed in April 2023, the Inspire 3 showcases a more streamlined aerodynamic profile. It continues to support two-person operation through an FPV camera equipped with night vision capabilities alongside its primary Zenmuse X9-8K Air camera/gimbal system, which can capture up to 8K CinemaDNG footage at 25 frames per second or Apple ProRes RAW video at up to 75 frames per second (license required). The drone integrates O3 Pro video transmission technology, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors, GNSS positioning, and real-time kinematic location accuracy via GPS, Galileo, and BeiDou satellite systems. It is powered by four Model 3511 motors driving either Model 1671 standard or Model 1676 high-altitude propellers. Flight power is provided by two TB51 batteries (each rated at 4280 mAh), delivering approximately 28 minutes of flight time when landing legs are extended or about 26 minutes when retracted.
Variants
- Inspire 1
- Designated by the company as Model T600, also referred to as the Inspire 1 V1.0. This initial version featured a detachable Zenmuse X3 camera/gimbal equipped with a 12MP 1/2.3" Sony Exmor sensor, driven by 350 KV Model 3510 motors paired with Model 1345 or 1345s propellers. It utilized a 4500 mAh TB47 battery or an optional 5700 mAh TB48 battery, providing approximately 18 minutes of flight duration. Released in November 2014, it later gained optional support for 16MP Zenmuse X5 and X5R camera/gimbals in September 2015. The standard motors were upgraded to 420 KV Model 3510H units in November 2015.
- Inspire 1 Raw
- Also known as Model T600, this variant closely resembles the Inspire 1 but comes standard with a Zenmuse X5R camera/gimbal and Model 3510H motors paired with Model 1345T propellers. Flight endurance is roughly 15 minutes using the TB47 battery and about 18 minutes when powered by the TB48.
- Inspire 1 Pro
- Company designation Model T600. This model mirrors the Inspire 1 Raw but is equipped with a standard Zenmuse X5 camera/gimbal. Flight times are consistent with those of the Inspire 1 Raw.
- Inspire 1 Pro Black Edition
- Identical in specifications to the Inspire 1 Pro, but distinguished by a matte black finish on both the body and controller. This edition was introduced in January 2016.
- Inspire 1 V2.0
- Referred to internally as Model T601. Similar to the earlier Inspire 1 models featuring the Zenmuse X3 camera/gimbal and Model 3510 motors, but outfitted with Model 1345T propellers.
- Inspire 2
- Known as Model T650A, this advanced version incorporates a magnesium-aluminum alloy frame, a forward-facing FPV camera, Model 3512 motors with 1550T propellers, and obstacle avoidance sensors positioned forward, upward, and downward. It is available either without a main camera or equipped with Zenmuse X4S (20MP), X5S (20.8MP), or X7 cameras/gimbals. Powered by dual 4280 mAh TB50 batteries, it offers flight durations ranging from 23 to 28 minutes depending on the camera configuration. Released concurrently with the Phantom 4 Pro in November 2016.
- Inspire 2 ProRes
- A variant of the Inspire 2 (Model T650A) featuring Apple ProRes encoding enabled by default.
- Inspire 2 L
- Another Inspire 2 (Model T650A) version that comes pre-activated with both Apple ProRes and CinemaDNG formats.
- Inspire 3
- Designated as Model T740, this upgraded model boasts an aerodynamic build, night vision FPV camera, Zenmuse X9-8K Air primary camera/gimbal, O3 Pro video transmission system, omnidirectional collision avoidance capabilities, GNSS with real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning, and Model 3511s motors driving either Model 1671 standard or Model 1676 high-altitude propellers. It is powered by dual 4280 mAh TB51 batteries offering around 28 minutes of flight time when landing legs are extended or approximately 26 minutes when retracted. This model was launched in April 2023.
Government operators
- New York City Police Department began utilizing the Inspire 1 for training and evaluation purposes in 2018.
Military operators
- Chilean Army incorporated the Inspire 2 into their operations starting in 2018.
- Colombian Air Force deployed Inspire 1 drones beginning in 2016, maintaining two active units as of 2019.
- French Armed Forces operated various Inspire models by the year 2019.
- Lithuanian Land Forces employed Inspire drones by the year 2019.
Non-governmental Operators
- The Azov Regiment deployed the Inspire 1 model in 2016 and continued its operation within Ukrainian paramilitary forces up to 2019.