No More GEO Fence lockout.

[gogorokokoko]

Not at all.

Some in DC were actually using it as a reason to ban DJI. They were saying DJI could use GEO Fencing to shut down our drones. SO it was actually being used against them.

DJI was planning on doing this in the U.S. last year. Just like they did in the E.U. But they held off due to the issues in D.C. So they just decided to go ahead and remove this to make their customers happy. With the RID requirements and Counter UAS identification technology getting better, they also felt GEO Fence was no longer needed.

So since they knew DC would use GEO Fence against them either way, they decided to just make their customers happy and modify the system for their U.S. customers.

You're right, this decision may not lead to a ban, at least not directly
but if the number of drone incidents increases then it will be another reason that can be added to the list

looking at the big picture, the ban on some chinese auto tech, see here https://www.reuters.com/breakingviews/us-engineers-decisive-split-global-auto-market-2025-01-15/ and the tiktok situation may say that sooner or later a dji drones ban will come

and I hope I don't get hated for saying this, but any kind of drone with a range longer than 50-100m may pose some security risks
commercial drones were used in combat zones with great success and imo there is nothing much that can be done to make them safer for use by anyone who buys them

 

[zone]

If .gov uses their removing geo fencing as an excuse to ban them, then you can bet they will turn it back on in an oh-no second.

That said I think it was an expense that that they were incurring and it opened them up to liability. If someone got hurt in a drone attack/accident in an area that had a TFR that someone didn't update into their fly-safe, who do you think the lawyers are going after.

IMHO

 

[DarR-T]

With ever-changing rules world-wide, DJI must have been working around the clock just to keep up.
Can't blame them for dropping a gatekeeping service that most pilots don't want and other companies don't provide.
I would rather see them focusing on RC and goggle compatibility across all new products.

 

[mavic3usa]

If US.gov can mandate RID in all new drones, they can mandate Geofencing in all new drones.

 

[Erk1024]

challenges due to DJI's zones not matching reality.

Agree. This is a thing.

 

[Droning on and on...]

It was a good idea, poorly implemented, IMO.

 

[GadgetGuy]

I wonder if the geofencing will be removed in Canada too eh? I'll check for an update this evening but unfortunately no flying in the near future due to weather.

Coming soon, according to DJI. Canada is next.

 

[meierjn]

Coming soon, according to DJI. Canada is next.

Yeah, I checked last night and there was no update available.

 

[GadgetGuy]

Yeah, I checked last night and there was no update available.

Soon means Canada is the next country on their To Do list, which will likely still be several months from now, as they have to replace their GEO with all of Canadian airspace restriction maps. Not now, but it’s coming. Patience grasshopper.

 

[DarR-T]

Coming soon, according to DJI. Canada is next.

I like it but could you post the source?
There's nothing yet posted about it by the Canadian Drone Pilots Association which are in regular contact with TC.
If fact, I have just inquired about it and so far, there is no evidence yet of changes in Canada according to the admin of the Drone Pilot Association of Canada Group. I'll report back on this with any developments as it could change quickly.
FYI: Most Geo-fencing zones in the UK and some EU countries have just been removed.
Source: DJI’S UPDATES TO ITS GEO SYSTEM

 

[meierjn]

Soon means Canada is the next country on their To Do list, which will likely still be several months from now, as they have to replace their GEO with all of Canadian airspace restriction maps. Not now, but it’s coming. Patience grasshopper.

I am in no rush Master Po.