DJI Aeroscope Stationary (Incl. DJI Care Enterprise)

FAQ

1. Does the device have to be connected to the Internet in order to work?

No. AeroScope is fully functional as a drone identification and tracking solution without any internet connection required.

 

2. Do I need wi-fi or GPS connection to run the device?

No. AeroScope is fully functional as a drone identification and tracking solution without any wifi or GPS connection required.

 

3. What data can we see on the device? 

Drone serial number, direction, speed, altitude, lat/long location, home-point, model name (Phantom, Mavic, etc.).  There are also two optional text fields that pilots can fill with text of up to 100 characters, such as a license number or name and contact information. 

 

4. Can the user decide which data to display?

The basic information used to locate and identify the type of drone cannot be turned off.  Two text fields that will eventually allow the user to broadcast personal information about their identity and their mission, are optional.

 

5. Will the user be notified when his/her drone is being tracked while flying?

No. There is no way for the system to determine whether any of the information it transmits is being received.

 

6. Is there any way one can prevent being tracked by the device?

 

Drone identification settings will be included in DJI’s initial drone software to allow customers to choose the content of their own drone’s identification broadcast so as to match local expectations both before and after identification regulations are implemented in different jurisdictions. To protect customers’ privacy, the AeroScope system will not automatically transmit any personally identifiable information until regulations or policies in the pilot's jurisdiction require it.

 

 

 

7. Has this solution been created upon request of the Chinese government?

 

No. As increasingly more customers rely on drones for professional and recreational uses, drone ID is being widely discussed at a global level, including in legislation enacted by the U.S. Congress in 2016 and in European regulations and proposals. AeroScope was designed with our U.S. and European customers in mind.  We have a solution that is ready to deploy and does not require a hardware change to drone equipment. It is simple and does not result in any additional cost to the pilot, providing the lowest-cost and least invasive approach for our customers.

 

As global leader of the civilian drone industry, DJI wanted to propose a solution that would allow governments to identify drones in the sky while ensuring the privacy of drone operators. AeroScope should be seen as an alternative to networked solutions that would allow governments to permanently record the location of each drone across entire countries, even when they are not flying in sensitive locations, and that would impose substantial new costs upon drone operators, manufacturers, and the government -- an approach that we believe is disproportionate and overly intrusive.

 

8. What can you or the government do with this data? What is the data used for?

Government authorities can use this technology to identify drone flights near sensitive areas, such as airports, power plants and prisons, so that they can respond when necessary. DJI will not receive this information, which is instead received by the authority who is using the technology within close proximity to the drones.  Eventually it is envisioned that the authorities will require broadcast of an official drone identifier number, similar to a license plate.

 

9. Is such data saved, recorded or transferred? If yes, where?

The AeroScope user can save ID and tracking data locally.  Because AeroScope relies on drones directly broadcasting their information to localised receivers, not on transmitting data to an internet-based service, it ensures most drone flights will not be automatically recorded nationwide in broad government databases, thereby protecting the privacy interests of people and businesses that use drones.  If an airport or another sensitive site sets up a permanent AeroScope monitoring solution, they would have the option to record what they see – in other words, a prison might want to be able to go back and review the drone flights it recorded in the past. 

 

10. Who has access to this data? Who has access to any stored data?

The owner of the AeroScope receiver, typically a public safety agency or facility such as an airport.

 

11. Can you see the image transmission from the tracked drone?

No.  AeroScope only decodes the trasmission relating to the drone’s identification and position.

 

12. Is it technically possible to see the image transmission from the drone?

No.  AeroScope only decodes the trasmission relating to the drone’s identification and position.

 

13. What is the range of detection of the device?

Up to 5km, depending on the RF environment and the antenna. 

 

14. How many drones can be tracked at once?

There is no pre-defined limit, and we have tested 16 in one location.

 

15. Can you see a drone flying without GPS?

 

Yes, the AeroScope alert will sound but the drone will not be located correctly on the map. The drone icon will be shown in zero latitude and zero longtitude position until a GPS location is transmitted.

 

16. Does the drone need to be flying or just switched on?

Most DJI drones will transmit ID as soon as they are powered on.  All drones transmit once they are in flight.

 

17. Can you control the drone with this device?

No.

 

18. Will it work in any weather condition?

The fixed version has IP67 protection which makes it suitable for outdoor use,  in temperatures from -40° C to 55° C. The portable version’s case is provided by a third party and is waterproof. 

 

19. What is the latency of transmission?

Less than 1 second with the portable version and approx. 5 seconds with the fixed version.

 

20. Will you also be able to see drones from other manufacturers? And how?

This approach to remote ID is intended to be one that any manufacturer can implement.  We will open the wireless ID protocol to other manufacturers who want to make receivers.  We also envision manufacturers devising common open wifi protocols, updated via firmware, to allow their existing and future drones to work with this equipment.

 

21. Will you open any intellectual property to other drone manufacturers?

Yes, we will open intellectual property to other manufacturers. The purpose of this equipment is to solve a safety and security concern, not to create profits. We will license the relevant IP for free to those parties who are willing to contribute to the safe operation of drones.

 

22. What other kinds of solutions are policy-makers considering?

Other companies have proposed forcing every drone to install cellular communication equipment, subscribe to a data plan and ID service account, and send flight and identification data over the internet to a central government server.

 

We believe AeroScope could provide an easy-to-use solution for governments that would meet both the needs from governments to identify drones while flying, keep costs and burdens low for drone operators, and respect drone operator privacy. The solution is also tamper resistant and already built-in in the drone, ensuring the full compliance from operators which is key to having a identification system that actually works.  

 

23. Why is this solution better than another type of tracking solution?

 

1) Simplicity: The device is highly reliable compared to other solutions because it is a direct broadcast system like a license plate, with fewer relay points compared to networks; 2) Safety: All data is transmitted to local receivers and is not vulnerable to network failures or network hacking; 3) Flexibility: It works even in the absence of internet/cellular coverage. 4) Cost:  This solution is free for drone operators and involves a software change for manufactuers. 5) Privacy: This system protects drone operator privacy by only monitoring drones in localized areas, without creating a database of all drone flights.

 

24. What is currently available? Who can buy this device?

DJI has built prototype units that are being used for testing and evaluation all over the world. The solution is also already in use in two major international airports. It will be made available to law enforcement, national security and aviation safety officials, as well as to organizations with a legitimate need to monitor drone traffic in sensitive areas.

 

25. Will AeroScope be available for the public to buy?

Our focus when designing and building AeroScope has been on the needs of public safety officials and we will focus sales to those communities first.  As regulations develop that address the extent to which other parties including the public should access drone ID and tracking information, the market may expand.

 

26. How much will it cost when it will be available?

Prices will be made available in due course. We expect this solution to be inexpensive because its purpose is to provide a solution to an existing safety and security problem, not to be highly profitable.  Our business is to make the world’s best drones and to enable our customers to fly them on the broadest possible variety of beneficial missions.

 

27. Where will it be sold?

 

For the time being, interested parties can contact aeroscope@dji.com if they wish to acquire the product. 

 

28. Can this system be hacked?

Any system can be hacked, and no system is foolproof. However, DJI’s system has several built-in protections: It transmits over a built-in communication link that cannot be modified or disconnected without losing the ability to control the drone. There is no physical device to remove or wires that can be cut.  It does not rely on a computer network that could be vulnerable to remote hacking. Hackers would need to be physically in range of the drone and/or the receiver, making it easier to detect them and harder for pervasive hacking. These and other factors make hacking less of a concern for DJI’s system than for other networked proposals. 

 

29. Can you see the pilot location?

Yes.  This will allow the authorities to find the pilot and ask questions about the operation.  At first this location will be represented by the home takeoff point, but in later versions will provide a live updated track based on pilot GPS location obtained from the mobile device paired to the RC and used to fly.

 

30. Will the AeroScope not pick up drones if the drone is in LDM? 

Local Data Mode and Remote ID function are unique solutions that serve different purposes. When LDM is activated, it stops internet traffic to and from the DJI Pilot app as a way to enhance data privacy for sensitive flights. With the Remote ID solution, the ground station detects a drone by picking up wireless signals sent out by the drone within the range of the system. The Remote ID is a management system to monitor drone traffic with the purpose to promote safer skies especially in places like airports.  LDM will not disable AeroScope.

 

OTHER ISSUES FAQ

 

1. Why are no-fly zones not adequate enough to prevent people to fly drones?

DJI’s geofencing system is designed as an advisory system to educate drone pilots about airspace restrictions. It is not an enforcement mechanism. Every drone pilot is responsible for understanding and following all applicable rules and regulations when they fly. If a drone pilot inadvertently or deliberately flies in ways that raise concerns, DJI’s remote identification system provides authorities with information about drone flights that may cause concerns.

 

2. How can I fly in a no-fly zone? How do I unlock the geofencing system?

You can visit our webpage www.dji.com/flysafe/geo-system to learn more about geofencing unlocking or write an email to flysafe@dji.com.

 

3. Can the Chinese government access my data? 

Your flight logs, photos and videos cannot be seen by anyone else unless you take steps to upload them to the internet, such as by syncing your flight logs or uploading photos or videos to the SkyPixel website. Anyone concerned about the security of their data can fly with local data mode in the DJI Pilot app, which halts all internet data transfer from DJI drones.    

 

4. What do you think are your drones’ cybervulnerabilities claimed by the US Army?

The leaked US Army memo does not explain what vulnerabilities it claims to have discovered. We have repeatedly asked the Army to notify us if they have found any flaws in our products, but they have not responded. The new Local Data Mode in the DJI Pilot app stops all internet data traffic from our drones, which addresses many of the security concerns expressed by some enterprise customers.

 

5. What is DJI doing to protect its customers’ data?

DJI has taken several important steps to ensure the integrity of its customers’ data. It is analyzing all third-party plugins in the DJI GO and DJI GO 4 apps, and has removed some that were found to not meet DJI’s security standards. DJI has launched an internal educational program for developers, as well as a more rigorous code review and testing process, to reinforce the importance of software security when developing new features. DJI is also introducing a bug bounty program for external researchers who discover ways to improve its products and apps, as well as a more robust research and academic outreach program to quickly identify and resolve potential security issues.

 

6. How does your active track and face recognition technology work?

External: Active tracking, like gesture recognition, uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to understand a given situation and fly accordingly. The Spark drone’s PalmControl system confirms that a human face is nearby as a safety check before launching from a pilot’s hand, but it does not recognize or distinguish between individual faces and does not store any data relating to specific faces.

 

7. Why did one of your drones crash into a US Army helicopter?

External: DJI is a party to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, and in accordance with NTSB rules, DJI is unable to speak publicly about it. Any information about this incident may be released only by the NTSB. As the leading manufacturer of small civilian drones, DJI is firmly committed to the safety of our products. We have always instructed drone operators to obey the laws and regulations applicable to drones in their jurisdiction, and we urge our customers to fully educate themselves about how to fly safely. Millions of people safely use drones for personal and professional uses, and we hope they will join us in our commitment to ensuring drones remain a benefit to society.

 

8. What does DJI think of U-Space / UTM proposals?

External: DJI believes anti-collision sensors and local communication protocols can provide a robust system for managing and monitoring drone traffic, without requiring new equipment, complicated networks, untested technology or a massive new database of all drone flights. Unmanned traffic management (UTM) does not always require a centralized control center to establish flight paths and help drones avoid traditional aircraft, fixed obstacles and each other. Instead, many drones can directly coordinate their flight paths and avoid obstacles by using onboard anti-collision technologies already beginning to be found on many civil drones, such as obstacle sensing systems and radio transmitters and receivers communicating with other drones.