SafeAir M4: Parachute recovery system for DJI drones now available

Drones like the DJI Neo are now widely available for regular consumers, but these flying objects can also become a privacy issue. Furthermore, they can turn into a hazard, as heavy drones that crash from certain heights can cause substantial damage to property or even physical damage to living beings. The SafeAir M4 is a new safety system for DJI drones that aims to prevent exactly that.

Specifically, the recovery system from the company called ParaZero is fully compatible with the DJI Matrice 4 series, which is a heavier drone designed for professional users. Smaller drones wouldn’t be able to carry such a heavy accessory. The basic function of the SafeAir M4 is pretty simple. In case of a malfunction or crash, the housing can be partially blown off and the tumbling drone can be slowed down by a parachute.

This reduces potential damage to other objects, people and even the drone itself, although the latter cannot be ruled out entirely. The safety module with the parachute can be replaced if needed, it’s not necessary to replace the entire system. Furthermore, the parachute can be deployed automatically if the drone is coming down too quickly, which can be detected by built-in sensors that operate independently of the actual drone. In addition to Bluetooth and WiFi, the SafeAir M4 module also supports GPS.

According to the manufacturer, this allows users to set up certain geo-fencing mechanisms. For instance, if the drone moves into a certain area, it could be slowed down by the parachute in order to prevent it from traveling any further. The ParaZero SafeAir M4 is officially priced at $1,600.