DJI Dock 4 – automated battery-swapping station for recurring drone missions
DJI Dock 4 is a professional drone station that supports DJI Matrice 5TD take-off, landing, battery swapping and battery charging as a remotely managed workflow. It is suitable for infrastructure inspection, site monitoring and support for rescue and emergency response tasks. Automated battery swapping reduces downtime between flights and the need to replace batteries manually on site.
The station accommodates one aircraft and is compatible only with DJI Matrice 5TD. Operation requires DJI O4 Ground Station, which provides video transmission, RTK base station functionality and network access. Aircraft, ground station, batteries and software must be considered as individual components when planning a complete system.
Fast battery swaps and simultaneous charging
DJI Dock 4 combines automated battery swapping with wireless charging. According to its specifications, a battery swap takes under 25 seconds, measured from the moment the dock cover is fully closed until swapping is complete. Turnaround from landing after one flight to the next take-off can take under 45 seconds. Both figures were measured in controlled tests; actual operation depends on conditions.
Four battery compartments can hold no more than three batteries at a time, leaving one compartment available for the swapping mechanism. Two charging channels allow two batteries to charge simultaneously. Manufacturer testing records 27 minutes to charge one battery from 15% to 95% at an ambient temperature of 25 °C. Charging and preparation for subsequent flights can therefore run in parallel.
Remote operation and mission management
DJI FlightHub 2 supports scheduled missions and recurring workflows. An event from a compatible third-party alert system can initiate a dispatch workflow, but an operator must confirm before the aircraft is dispatched. Support for FlightHub 2 On-Premises and DJI Cloud API also allows drone operations to be integrated into an organisation’s chosen software environment.
DJI Enterprise App supports on-site setup, testing, remote operations and live viewing. After landing, Wi-Fi QuickTransfer enables high-speed transfer of media files from the aircraft to the dock.
Construction designed for outdoor operation
DJI Dock 4 has an IP56 ingress protection rating and an operating temperature range of −40 to +50 °C. Compressor-based air conditioning, with temperature-controlled cooling and heating, helps maintain suitable conditions inside the dock and for its batteries. Maximum allowable landing wind speed is 12 m/s, and the manufacturer specifies a maximum rainfall intensity of 2 mm/h for normal operation.
Wind speed, rainfall and ambient temperature sensors provide information about local conditions. The station also monitors internal temperature and humidity. Internal and external monitoring cameras each offer 1920 × 1080 resolution and a 151° field of view, with white auxiliary lights supporting visibility in low light.
Backup power during an outage
Aircraft batteries stored in the compartments can supply backup power to the dock. Manufacturer testing indicates approximately 4.5 hours of operation per battery at 25 °C when discharged from 90% to 10%. Sequential backup power from up to three batteries is supported.
Backup power does not preserve every function: battery charging, air conditioning and wind sensor heating are unavailable during a grid outage. Battery swapping can continue when at least two batteries are installed in the dock compartments. This allows existing energy reserves to be used but does not replace a permanent power supply.
Installation, power and connectivity
The station weighs 66 kg without compartment batteries or an aircraft. Dimensions are 639 × 640 × 836 mm with the cover closed and 1750 × 640 × 550 mm with it open. These measurements include the wind speed sensor and mounting base brackets. Installation must allow clearance for the cover to open and follow the manufacturer’s installation requirements.
Power input is 100–240 V AC at 50/60 Hz, with a maximum input power of 2000 W. Installation is supported at altitudes up to 5000 m above sea level, at a location with stable power and network access. O4 Ground Station must be positioned in an open, unobstructed area, and a site survey is required before permanent installation. Ethernet access is provided through the ground station; 4G connectivity requires a DJI Cellular Dongle 2 installed on it.
