DJI Matrice 4 Update: New Multimodal AI Detection and Automated Patrol Actions
Image Source: DJI
DJI has published Matrice 4 Series release notes dated 11 December 2025, covering an aircraft firmware update (v16.01.00.05) and related updates for the DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise controller and DJI Pilot 2. The headline change is an expanded AI detection workflow, including a new multimodal detection feature for configuring alert targets and more flexible alert conditions for AI recognition.
What Changed in the Current Release
In the release notes, DJI says it has added a “multimodal detection” feature that supports configuring objects for alerts using text, images, or real time box selection. DJI also says operators can now set alert conditions for AI recognition, which points to more control over when an alert should trigger, rather than treating every detection the same way.
DJI also expands Patrol Route capabilities, adding support for DJI infrared algorithms and third party infrared algorithms, plus new actions that can be triggered as part of Patrol Route alerts. DJI specifically mentions speaker and spotlight alert actions, and notes the zoom lens can be set for recognition in this context.
Outside of detection and alerts, DJI lists route workflow updates including Smart Oblique for Linear Route and support for routes with only one waypoint in Waypoint Route, both aimed at expanding the flexibility of repeatable mission planning.
Versions and Where The Update Appears
DJI’s release notes for 11 December 2025 list these key components and versions:
Aircraft firmware: v16.01.00.05
Remote controller firmware: v01.64.07.08
DJI Pilot 2 app: v16.1.0.44
DJI Assistant 2 (Enterprise Series): v2.1.23
DJI’s enterprise downloads page also lists offline firmware update packages for Matrice 4T and Matrice 4E, along with the same release notes document.
Why the Multimodal Approach Matters for AI Alerting
From an operator point of view, “multimodal” configuration is a practical step toward making AI detection less rigid. A text or image based configuration path can help teams describe what matters for a specific site or task, while box selection supports quick setup in the field when the target is already visible. DJI does not explain implementation details in the release notes, so it is safest to treat this as an interface and workflow update across the Matrice 4 software stack, rather than assuming how or where models run.
The second part, “alert conditions for AI recognition”, is also operationally significant. In real deployments, detection systems are only useful if alerts are actionable. Adding more configurable conditions is one of the clearest ways to reduce noise and improve trust in automated recognition, especially for long duration monitoring or recurring routes.
Patrol Route is Evolving into a More Automated Response Loop
Patrol Route itself is not new. DJI’s earlier Matrice 4 Series release notes (dated 10 June 2025) describe adding support for Patrol Route, enabling automatic Smart Capture and alerts. DJI also published an Enterprise Insights blog post around that June 2025 release, positioning it as a firmware update aimed at improving patrol and search and rescue efficiency and adding adjustable confidence thresholds for recognition.
The December 2025 update pushes Patrol Route further by linking recognition to optional actions, specifically speaker and spotlight alert actions. That matters because it moves the system from detection and notification toward detection and response. For organisations, this also raises governance questions, such as what triggers are acceptable to automate versus what should require a human decision, particularly in public spaces.
Speaker and Spotlight Context
DJI’s AS1 speaker product listing states it can reach 114 decibels at 1 metre and has a broadcast range of up to 300 metres.
DJI’s AL1 spotlight product listing states it supports always on and strobe modes and can illuminate subjects from a distance of 100 metres.
These published specs help explain why DJI would add speaker and spotlight alert actions into Patrol Route workflows, as they are concrete outputs that can be tied to an AI recognition event.
How This Compares with Similar Enterprise Positioning
Other enterprise platforms also lean heavily on AI for detection and tracking, but they describe it differently.
Autel’s EVO Max 4T product page claims the drone can automatically identify and lock onto targets such as heat sources, moving people, or vehicles, framing AI as a core feature for tracking and data collection.
Skydio’s X10 materials highlight onboard compute for autonomy, and Skydio’s technical specs list an NVIDIA Jetson Orin SoC among its processors. Skydio’s X10 product page also markets “onboard AI” backed by Jetson Orin for real time decision making.
Compared with those published claims, DJI’s 11 December 2025 Matrice 4 update reads less like a new hardware story and more like a workflow update: easier configuration of what to detect, more control over when to alert, and deeper integration of recognition results into repeatable route operations.
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