DJI names winning developers in enterprise drone AI challenge

SHENZHEN, China, Aug. 20, 2026 - DJI, the leading global civilian drone and creative camera manufacturer, announced the winners of the 2026 DJI Enterprise Drone Onboard AI Challenge. The global competition, launched earlier in the year, sought innovative onboard AI models to enhance aerial intelligence. Ten industry experts judged the submissions, awarding five Best Onboard AI Model winners and ten Industry Application Excellence winners.

The challenge aimed to empower frontline operators by granting them access to DJI's drone SDK and onboard computing power. This enabled customized AI applications, allowing operators to run AI models directly on their DJI Enterprise drones, such as the Matrice 4/4D Series, Dock 3, Matrice 400, and Manifold 3 platforms. The solutions addressed various industries, including agriculture, public safety, and traffic management.

Five winners received the Best Onboard AI Model Award for their outstanding AI models developed for deployment on DJI enterprise drone and onboard computing platforms. Among them, AgroCount AI – Onboard Crop Counting System from Daniel Tovar was created and validated at a 50-hectare banana plantation in Colombia. The system combines drone technology, computer vision, and geospatial analysis to automate crop counting, making the process faster and more precise.

Ten winners were recognized with the Industry Application Excellence Award for their practical solutions applying onboard AI to real-world industry challenges. Examples include Bridge Inspection Master from Bridge Inspection Master Co., Ltd., which uses onboard AI for traffic enforcement, road maintenance, and facility management. Additionally, Sky Patrol Smart Inspection by Wuhan Luanchuang Digital Technology Co., Ltd., enhances public safety through autonomous aerial inspection for security and surveillance purposes.