DJI is lighting up the night and cranking up the volume — literally. The company just launched Zenmuse S1, its first-ever spotlight, and Zenmuse V1, its first drone-mounted speaker — two fresh payloads designed for DJI’s powerful Matrice 350 RTK and 300 RTK drones. These new tools are built for action-packed missions like emergency response, public safety, and night inspections, giving drone teams sharper eyes and louder voices in the sky.
Let’s break it down — what’s new, what’s exciting, and why this matters for drone pros in the US.
Zenmuse S1: Brighter, smarter drone lighting
The Zenmuse S1 is DJI’s answer to nighttime ops. It’s a high-intensity spotlight using advanced LEP (Laser Excited Phosphor) tech to throw light far and wide. And it’s not just bright — it’s smart.
You get four lighting modes:
- Low Beam: A 15° field of view at 150 meters — perfect for close-up inspection.
- High Beam: A laser-sharp 4° FOV that lights up targets 300 meters away.
- Both On Mode: Combines low and high beams to reach 500 meters with intense brightness.
- Strobe Mode: A flashing light that signals attention in rescue or emergency scenarios.
Despite all that power, Zenmuse S1 sips energy — just 17 watts on high beam — so it won’t drain your drone’s battery life. It’s also loaded with protections against overheating, overcurrent, and has built-in eye and burn safety features. Bonus: it dims automatically when the drone’s grounded to avoid blinding nearby operators.
At just 0.76 kg and mountable in various gimbal positions (upward, dual, or downward), it’s compact and field-ready. And with IP54 dust/water resistance, plus a working range from -4°F to 104°F, this spotlight is ready for real-world challenges.
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Zenmuse V1: Loud and clear from the sky
The Zenmuse V1 brings voice to the drone game. Whether it’s a rescue command or a public safety alert, this speaker broadcasts clear audio up to 500 meters away — and at 127 decibels, it’s as loud as a jet takeoff.
It offers three broadcast modes:
- Record and Broadcast: Instantly send recorded messages via the DJI Pilot 2 app.
- Text-to-Speech: Type a message, adjust tone/speed, and broadcast it.
- Audio File Playback: Load pre-recorded audio files and play them mid-flight.
This isn’t your average loudspeaker — it’s built with noise cancelation, directional recording, and tilt synchronization so sound goes exactly where it’s needed. When not in the air, the app helps keep things safe with hearing protection reminders.
At only 0.69 kg, Zenmuse V1 is lightweight but tough, with the same IP54 rating and rugged temperature tolerance as the S1. Customizable remote controller shortcuts make it easy to control while flying, and Mobile SDK support means developers can integrate it into custom drone apps.
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Both the Zenmuse S1 and V1 pair with DJI’s Matrice 350 RTK and Matrice 300 RTK, two of the most capable commercial drones on the market.
The Matrice 350 RTK, DJI’s flagship enterprise drone, is known for its robust IP55 weather resistance, 55-minute flight time, and advanced RTK positioning for centimeter-level accuracy. Meanwhile, the Matrice 300 RTK remains a go-to for public safety teams, utility inspectors, and industrial pros thanks to its triple payload capability, smart tracking, and 15 km transmission range.
While DJI is yet to reveal the price and availability of its new payloads, the Zenmuse S1 and V1 are sure to make Matrice drones even more versatile. Whether you’re flying over a disaster site, directing a crowd, or inspecting power lines in the dark, these new payloads will turn your drone into a brighter, louder, and smarter tool.
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