DJI Unveils New Neo 2 Drone Featuring Advanced Safety Features

BEIJING, China (AP) — DJI has unveiled its latest drone, the Neo 2, designed to eliminate the common fear of crashes among potential users. Revealed today, the drone boasts features aimed at making flying accessible and safe for everyone.

At just 151 grams, the Neo 2 is lightweight and equipped with full propeller guards and omnidirectional obstacle sensing. These features allow the drone to detect objects in its path and automatically slow down or stop before colliding, making it particularly suitable for beginners.

“I’d love to try a drone, but I’m scared I’ll crash it,” said a DJI spokesperson, highlighting their focus on addressing user concerns. The drone’s new monocular vision system and LiDAR sensor give it a 360-degree awareness to help avoid mishaps.

Users can control the Neo 2 through hand gestures, voice commands, or via the DJI Fly app, which enhances the usability for those unfamiliar with flying drones. The design allows for easy palm takeoff and landing as well.

In addition to safety, the Neo 2 caters to content creators with its Smart Selfie mode and Intelligent Follow system. It can track subjects moving at speeds of up to 12 meters per second while capturing high-quality images using its 12MP sensor and 4K video capabilities.

With 49GB of built-in storage and advanced battery management that offers 19 minutes of flight time, the Neo 2 is positioned as a versatile tool for both casual users and professionals.

Despite its promising launch, questions remain about the drone’s availability in the U.S. market. The Neo 2 received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approval earlier this year, but ongoing political concerns and import restrictions could delay its release.

DJI’s compliance with the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act has been under scrutiny, which complicates the future availability of their products in the U.S. The company insists that its manufacturing processes are located primarily in Shenzhen and Malaysia.

As of now, DJI is awaiting a risk assessment mandated by the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act, which will determine their ability to continue selling drones in the United States.