DJI Matrice 4 Obstacle Sensing Module

DJI Matrice 4 Series Obstacle Sensing Module

The sensor that lets a Matrice 4 fly confidently through the environment its cameras are usually sent to inspect: substations, transmission corridors, and cluttered industrial sites. Rotating LiDAR handles horizontal and upward detection, fused with the aircraft's built-in millimetre-wave radar for downward sensing, together giving genuinely omnidirectional obstacle avoidance, down to wires just 12mm thick, at speeds up to 15 m/s.

Why This Module Matters

• Detect wires as thin as 12mm at flight speeds up to 15 m/s, the kind of hazard a standard vision-based sensing system can miss entirely.
• Get genuinely omnidirectional coverage, LiDAR handling horizontal and upward sensing, fused with the aircraft's built-in radar for downward detection.
• Fly substations and power corridors with confidence, where dense infrastructure and thin conductors are exactly the environment this module is built for.
• Keep working in the dark, since LiDAR and radar sensing don't depend on ambient light the way a camera-based system does.
• Fly faster without sacrificing safety margin, since detection performance is rated up to 15 m/s rather than requiring a cautious crawl through cluttered environments.

How the Sensor Fusion Works

The module houses a rotating LiDAR unit providing 360° horizontal coverage and 58° vertical field of view, handling horizontal and upward obstacle detection. This is paired with the aircraft's own integrated millimetre-wave radar, which covers downward sensing. Together, the two systems overlap to close the gaps either sensor alone would leave, giving comprehensive coverage around the entire aircraft rather than a single forward-facing detection cone.

Detection Performance

Effective sensing speed reaches up to 15 m/s when detecting a 12mm steel-core cable, the standard benchmark for fine wire detection, with a maximum detection range of up to 100m. That's precise enough to resolve the kind of thin conductor and complex substation geometry that would otherwise force a much more cautious, manually-flown approach.

Compatibility: Native vs Adapter

Matrice 4D Series aircraft support the module natively, no adapter required.

Matrice 4E and Matrice 4T aircraft need the included adapter bracket fitted, plus the latest firmware, this compatibility was added via a firmware update after the module's initial launch, so make sure both the aircraft and controller are fully updated before attempting installation.

Built for the Field, and for Dock 3

Rated IP55 when used with the Matrice 4D Series specifically, and operating from -20°C to 50°C. The box includes 12 reflective straps specifically for DJI Dock deployments, confirming this module is a genuine fit for unattended, automated missions where there's no pilot present to spot a hazard visually.

A Safety Caveat

Detection and avoidance performance can be reduced in fog, heavy rain, snow, or when approaching fast-moving objects. This isn't a flaw specific to this module, every sensor-based avoidance system has environmental limits, but it's worth building into your own operational risk assessment rather than treating the module as an unconditional guarantee against collision in any condition.

What's in the Box

1 x Obstacle Detection Module
1 x H2.5 Hexagonal Key
1 x H1 Hexagonal Key
1 x Adapter Bracket (for Matrice 4 Series)
12 x Reflective Straps (for DJI Dock)

Specifications