DJI Launches Dock 4, a Battery-Swapping Station That Gets Drones Airborne in 45 Seconds
DJI's new Dock 4 automates battery swaps in under 25 seconds, enabling emergency responders and rescue teams to redeploy drones without waiting for lengthy recharge cycles.
Eliminating the downtime of conventional battery recharging could prove critical for safety and emergency operations. This week, DJI unveiled the Dock 4, an automated battery-swapping station that exchanges a drone's power source in roughly 25 seconds, according to the company's announcement. By sidestepping the typical 30-minute charging routine, the system promises operators can have their aircraft ready for flight again in under 45 seconds from the moment it lands. The drone-in-a-box platform marks DJI's first entry into battery-swap technology, though similar solutions exist elsewhere in the industry. The system targets use cases in emergency response, though it remains unavailable for purchase and lacks FCC authorization in the United States.
DJI frames the Dock 4 as a dock-as-a-first-responder (DFR) solution, emphasizing its potential for rapid-response scenarios. The product literature describes it as "Always There, Always Ready." The station simultaneously charges two battery packs, each weighing 925 grams with a 260 Wh capacity rated for 400 charge cycles. Bringing each battery from 15 percent to 95 percent charge takes approximately 27 minutes.