The release of the DJI Dock 4 and Matrice 5TD marks a significant leap forward in autonomous drone technology, introducing key upgrades in weather durability, rapid deployment, flight endurance, and payload support. However, despite these high-performance enhancements, the DJI Dock 3 and Matrice 4TD continue to offer clear operational and economic advantages for specific enterprise deployment scenarios.
The most significant upgrade to the DJI Dock 4 is its robotic battery-swapping mechanism. By automatically exchanging a depleted battery for a fully charged one in just 25 seconds, the Dock 4 eliminates the 30-minute stationary recharge time required by the previous generation. This faster turnaround enables the Matrice 5TD to provide continuous, uninterrupted aerial support for emergency response. However, these advancements necessitate a more complex mechanical dock and a heavier, multi-component deployment footprint, which may exceed the needs and budgets of operators running standard commercial missions.
The DJI Matrice 5TD has established itself as the premier remote drone on the market, boasting an impressive 59-minute flight time, an expanded operating temperature range of -40° to 50° C, and 176× maximum hybrid zoom. Additionally, its built-in AI detection can instantly identify and track up to 17 different target types, including vehicles, floating debris, fire, and smoke. However, these advancements come with operational trade-offs. For example, the impressive 21 m/s maximum horizontal speed is restricted exclusively to automated "FlyTo" tasks, and the system currently does not officially support vehicle-mounted deployment. But for teams managing critical operations where every second counts, the Matrice 5TD's unprecedented speed, stamina, and sensing capabilities easily justify the investment in a more complex deployment.
DJI Dock 4
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DJI Dock 3
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DJI Matrice 5TD
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DJI Matrice 4TD
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| DJI Dock 4 | DJI Dock 3 | |
| | | |
| Price | Starting at $609.00 CAD / $439.00 USD TBD | Starting at $249.00 CAD / $199.00 USD Starting at $19,408 CAD |
| Weight | 66 kg [1] | 55 kg [2] |
| Dimensions | Open: 1750×640×550 mm | Open: 1760×745×485 mm |
| Number of Drones | 1 | 1 |
| Ingress Protection | IP56 | IP56 |
| Operating | -40° to 50° C | -30° to 50° C |
| Battery Life | Approx. 4.5 hours | > 4 hours |
| Backup Power | Backup power is supplied | Built-in backup battery |
| Charging Method | Battery Swapping | Wireless Charging |
| Charging Time | 27 minutes [3] | 27 minutes |
| Max Number of | 3 | N/A |
| Max Operating | 5000 m | 4500 m |
| Video Transmission | DJI O4 Enterprise Enhanced | DJI O4+ Enterprise |
1. Measured without batteries or an aircraft. Actual product weight may vary.
2. Measure without an aircraft. Actual product weight may vary.
3. Per-battery charging time, from 15% to 95% level in a 25° C (77° F) environment.
| DJI Matrice 5TD | DJI Matrice 4TD | |
| | | |
| Price | Starting at $609.00 CAD / $439.00 USD TBD | Starting at $249.00 CAD / $199.00 USD Starting at $12,199 CAD |
| Takeoff Weight | 2600 g | 1850 g |
| Dimensions | 393×477×230 mm | 377.7×416.2×212.5 mm |
| Max Horizontal | 21 m/s [1] | Normal Mode: 15 m/s |
| Operating Temperature | -40° to 50° C | -20° to 50° C |
| Max Flight Time | 59 minutes | 54 minutes |
| Max Hover Time | 55 minutes | 47 minutes |
| Cellular Dongle 2 | Built-in | Yes |
| Image Sensor | Wide Angle: | Wide Angle: |
| Video Formats | MP4, TS | MP4 |
| Digital Zoom | Tele: | Tele: |
| Infrared | Uncooled VOx | Uncooled VOx |
| Temperature | High Gain Mode: | High Gain Mode: |
| Thermal Video | UHR Infrared Image Mode: | UHR Infrared Image Mode: |
| Infrared Temperature | High Gain: ±2° C or ±2% | High Gain: ±2° C or ±2% |
| Obstacle Sensing | Omnidirectional binocular colour vision system; | Omnidirectional binocular vision system, |
| Video Transmission | DJI O4 Enterprise Enhanced | DJI O4+ Enterprise |
| Max Unobstructed | IC: 40 km | FCC: 25 km |
| Other Transmission | Built-in dual 4G modules | Supports DJI Cellular Dongle 2 |
1. Currently, only FlyTo Tasks (Fly to a Destination Point) support flight speeds of up to 21 m/s. In other modes, the maximum flight speed is 15 m/s.
DJI has released a line of Dock products that automatically deploy the aircraft, eliminating the need for an on-site pilot. The latest addition to the Dock series is the DJI Dock 4, which is built specifically with 24/7 automated missions in mind. The Dock 4 is a welcome upgrade to the Dock 3, introducing 25-second battery swaps that cut downtime between flights to less than a minute.
Paired with the improved Matrice 5TD, the Dock 4 offers a few exciting new capabilities that make it a worthy successor to the Dock 3 and Matrice 4D and 4TD. To show you what's changed, we’ve compiled a list of the main features of the Dock 4 and Matrice 5TD, along with a quick comparison between the new and old models.
One of the main benefits of the new Dock 4 is its ability to launch the Matrice 5TD instantly, without needing a pilot on-site. For time-sensitive applications like site security or emergencies requiring first responders, every second counts. At the push of a button, the Dock 4 can send the drone cruising toward its destination at up to 21 m/s, bypassing ground congestion no matter what time of day or year.
The first noticeable difference between the DJI Dock 4 and the Dock 3 is its ability to swap out batteries in only 25 seconds. There’s no need to waste time charging, as the Dock 4 physically swaps out the battery between flights, getting you back in the air in no time. By reducing the downtime from 30 minutes to 25 seconds, you can keep the mission going almost nonstop.
The battery also lasts longer, achieving up to 59 minutes of flight time in a single launch. This allows you to cover way more ground with each flight, eliminating the need to keep landing to swap out the battery. The operating temperature is also extended, keeping the DJI Matrice 5TD operational in temperatures ranging from -40° to 50° C (-40° to 122° F).
The DJI Dock 4 comes with a few nifty features that enhance data transmission and transfer. Thanks to its video transmission topology, drone-to-cloud latency is reduced to around 160ms, a roughly 43% decrease from the Dock 3, boosting stability and enabling smoother livestreaming. The Dock 4 combines dual 4G modules, sub2G transmission, and the elevated O4 Ground Station to keep connections stable even when operating in high-obstruction areas like cities or dense forests.
The Dock 4 also speeds data transfer by offloading flight data during the 25-second battery swap. Using high-speed Wi-Fi, you can reach average speeds of 80 MB/s, getting everything you need off the drone before it’s back up in the air.
The Dock 4 also speeds data transfer by offloading flight data during the 25-second battery swap. Using high-speed Wi-Fi, you can reach average speeds of 80 MB/s, getting everything you need off the drone before it’s back up in the air.
With the DJI O4 Ground Station, you can deploy in highly complex environments without worrying about signal loss. The Dock 4 uses the Matrice 5TD’s LiDAR, visual SLAM, and anti-interference/anti-spoofing protocols, along with the O4 Ground Station, to maintain the signal when deploying near high-rise buildings or on mobile vehicles.
The way it works is simple: by installing the O4 Ground Station on an elevated platform like a rooftop, the Dock 4 can deploy in tight, obstructed areas, such as beside a building or substation wall. With the O4 Ground Station providing roaming support, the aircraft can switch between multiple stations to increase signal coverage and minimize blind spots.
DJI soon plans to release a mobile vehicle-mounted platform to allow the DJI Dock 4 to launch the drone while the vehicle is parked, then land at a separate destination once the vehicle stops again.
It’s easier than ever to pilot the drone with nothing but a smartphone. The DJI Enterprise app gives you the tools to set up the Dock 4 on-site and pilot everything remotely. Dispatch the drone with just a single tap, sending an instant signal to wake the aircraft and send it flying toward its destination in seconds. As it flies through the air, you can maintain real-time operational visibility on your phone, monitoring conditions from the sky and making informed strategic decisions from afar.
DJI takes the safety of your data as seriously as it does the safety of the aircraft. All data generated during a mission is encrypted, reducing the risk of spying or hijacking. Encryption is maintained during transmission using TLS 1.2+ and AES-256 between the drone and dock, and HTTPS, WSS, and TLS for cloud uploads.
Stored data is secured with AES-256-CBC encryption, and authorized users can view only the data relevant to their role. Activity logging tracks who accesses what, and data can be permanently deleted from any account, organization, or device.
In addition to the advanced features of the DJI Dock 4, the Matrice 5TD has a few upgraded capabilities that make it more customizable, safe, and powerful in flight.
The greatest improvement is the imaging system. While the previous iteration had two separate drones, the DJI Matrice 5TD combines telephoto, infrared, laser ranging, and full-colour night vision capabilities in a single aircraft. The drone can achieve 10 cm aerial survey accuracy at 12MP, making it suitable for daytime and nighttime missions alike.
The Matrice 5TD has a 450 g payload capacity, with both side PSDK and top mounts operating at the same time. This supports a wide mix of accessories, letting you customize your flight for different missions. For example, during a search-and-rescue operation, you could attach a spotlight, speaker, and parachute to illuminate the area and broadcast aerial instructions to people on the ground. There’s also a built-in warning light that you can program with different colours or flash patterns—no extra setup or hardware installation needed.
Obstacle sensing is better than ever with the DJI Matrice 5TD. The aircraft is equipped with three-directional mmWave radar, rotating LiDAR, and a six-directional vision system to identify a variety of obstacles in complex environments. The drone can weave through power lines at active electrical substations day or night, ensuring the aircraft’s safety in any lighting conditions. Omnidirectional full-colour sensing allows you to fly with confidence at night, as the six high-res, low-light fisheye sensors can detect obstacles in every direction.
Safety is further enhanced with several failsafes that deploy in an emergency. The first is the top-mounted parachute, which can be deployed automatically or manually. The Matrice 5TD also integrates ADS-B and RID receivers to detect nearby aircraft, overlaying real-time flight tracks onto the operational map. Lastly, the drone is designed to launch, operate, and land in wind speeds of up to 12 m/s, but if there are wind spikes upon return, the aircraft will automatically execute a lower-altitude descent.
There are many small differences between the Dock 3 and Dock 4, but the three main categories are general stats like size/weight, charging performance, and video capabilities.
The Dock 4 is slightly heavier at 66 kg than the Dock 3 at 55 kg. However, this weight is even higher if you add the weight of the aircraft (and, in the case of the Dock 4, the extra batteries in the battery compartment. Dimensions and the IP56 ingress protection rating are roughly the same. The DJI Dock 4 has a much higher input power of up to 2,000 W compared to the Dock 3's max 800 W, and its max operating altitude reaches 5,000 meters rather than 4,500. Lastly, the Dock 4 can operate in a temperature range from -40° to 50° C, while the Dock 3 can only go as low as -30° C.
The main difference between the DJI Dock 4 and Dock 3 is the use of battery swapping. Both devices feature wireless charging, but the Dock 4 allows you to swap out batteries in only 25 seconds, so the drone can be back in the air in less than a minute compared to around 30 minutes for the Dock 3. The Dock 4 can store a maximum of three batteries in four battery compartments.
The Dock 3 uses DJI O4+ Enterprise for video transmission, while the Dock 4 uses the DJI O4 Enterprise Enhanced Video Transmission System. By adding the O4 Ground Station, you can maintain the signal in significantly more complex environments.
The Dock 3 came with two drone options: the Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD. The Dock 4 comes with one upgraded aircraft: the Matrice 5TD. The new Matrice 5TD weighs more at 2,600 g compared to the 1,850 g of the 4D and 4TD models. Its flight time is also extended to 59 minutes instead of 54 minutes. The 5TD has better obstacle avoidance with omnidirectional vision, a rotating LiDAR sensor, and multiple millimeter-wave radar sensors. The Matrice 4D's only advantage is mapping, and even then it's only slight.
The biggest difference between the DJI Matrice 5TD and its predecessors, however, is the improved vision system. The Matrice 4D comes with a wide-angle camera, medium tele camera, tele camera, and laser rangefinder. The Matrice 4TD includes all of those, plus an infrared thermal camera and NIR auxiliary light.
The Matrice 5TD has upgraded specs for each lens, making it more powerful than both the 4D and the 4TD. The 5TD's thermal imaging resolution is 1280 x 1024, four times the pixels of the Matrice 4TD. Its main wide-angle camera captures 12 MP photos compared to the 4D and 4TD's 20 MP/48 MP photos, and its telephoto lens offers up to 11x optical zoom, a significant upgrade.
FlightHub 2 Copilot lets you control the drone with voice commands. You can describe flight commands, routes, and schedules, and the drone will instantly translate that into actionable commands for the aircraft to follow. Intelligent automation lets you create automatic workflows that deploy drones when they receive third-party alerts. You can also set up periodic workflows to manage things like routine data collection, 3D modeling, analysis, and report generation.
AI is a prominent feature in the DJI Matrice 5TD, with smart post-processing detection that automatically compares current data with previous aerial imagery, identifying changes and potential damage. AI will create instant reports flagging any changes, significantly reducing the need to go through footage frame-by-frame.
The DJI Dock 4 is a perfect fit for any application that requires fast action, precise data capture, and off-site control. First responders can use it to shave valuable time off of emergencies, while site security officers can set up automated flight routes to make sure they’ve got eyes in the air at all times. The Matrice 5TD has plenty of mapping and infrared capabilities that make it well-suited for infrastructure inspections, agriculture, and even mining.
If you’re looking for an upgrade from the Dock 3 and Matrice 4D and 4TD, then the Dock 4/Matrice 5TD combo is well worth the extra money in every regard. It deploys faster, minimizes downtime between flights, and captures better pictures and video from the sky. With AI-powered workflows and improved obstacle detection under your belt, you’ll have a safer and more streamlined flight than ever before.
Dr Drone
Auteur
DrDrone is Canada's leading provider of drone technical services, with over a decade of experience and the distinction of being the first company in the country to offer drone servicing and repairs. As the largest drone vendor in Canada, we are also the primary supplier of Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) to the Canadian government. Our team members possess extensive knowledge of each drone's technical specifications and have a wealth of hands-on experience. For more than ten years, we have been dismantling and reconstructing drones, ensuring a deep understanding of these systems.