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DJI Announces Winners for the Enterprise Drone Onboard AI Challenge 2026

In an exciting development for the future of aerial intelligence, DJI, a pioneer in civilian drone technology, recently announced the winners of its highly anticipated 2026 Enterprise Drone Onboard AI Challenge. This competition aimed to merge data gathering with actionable insights, significantly advancing the capabilities of drone applications across diverse fields such as agriculture, environmental protection, public safety, and transportation.

Launched early in 2026, the competition attracted numerous entries from innovators eager to demonstrate their prowess in utilizing DJI's robust drone SDK and computing capabilities. A panel of ten esteemed judges from the AI and drone sectors evaluated the submissions, ultimately awarding five Best Onboard AI Model Awards and ten Industry Application Excellence Awards.

DJI recognizes that frontline operators possess a deep understanding of their respective industries and are best equipped to tailor practical applications for drone technology. Therefore, the company has made its SDK and computing resources available to support customized AI solutions. By granting access to onboard computing power and algorithm deployment tools, operators can now execute AI models directly on DJI platforms and adapt the technology for a variety of real-world scenarios.

The Winning Solutions

The challenge attracted groundbreaking solutions that demonstrated practical uses of AI in drone applications. Among the standout projects, Daniel Tovar’s “AgroCount AI – Onboard Crop Counting System” emerged as a game changer for the agricultural sector. Developed on-site at a vast banana plantation in Colombia, this system utilizes drone technology combined with computer vision and geospatial analytics to automate crop counting. Previously requiring significant manpower, this innovative approach can now process aerial imagery and GPS-tagged plants onboard during flight, enhancing efficiency and accuracy significantly.

Another notable entry was the “9-in-1 Onboard Fusion Algorithm + Edge-Cloud Collaborative Smart Transportation Full Closed-Loop Inspection” designed by Hangzhou New Modal Technology Co. It integrates an impressive nine inspection functionalities targeted at traffic management, including automated detection and resolving traffic flow and maintenance issues using DJI's platforms. This comprehensive approach illustrates the marriage of AI and drone technology, creating a more efficient management system for urban environments.

Recognized Winners

The awards were split into two main categories:

Best Onboard AI Model

The five recipients of this award were acknowledged for their remarkable AI models suitable for deployment on DJI's enterprise drones. The winners included:

• - Aoshi Cangqiong
• - Cheng'an Zhilian (Chongqing) Information Technology Co., Ltd.
• - Hangzhou New Modal Technology Co., Ltd.
• - Huineng Technology
• - Zhongke Beiwei (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.

Industry Application Excellence Award

Ten winners received accolades for their practical solutions applying onboard AI to address industry challenges. Notable recipients included:

• - Bridge Inspection Master
• - Chongqing Guangruida Technology Co., Ltd.
• - Daniel Tovar
• - East China Normal University Estuarine and Coastal Data Center Team
• - Lanzhou University Grass Flying Team
• - Muniu Hetu Algorithm Team
• - Shangtejie AI RD Department
• - Shenzhen Public Welfare Rescue Volunteer Federation (SRVF)
• - Sky Patrol Smart Inspection
• - Wuhan Luanchuang Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

Winners of the challenge not only received DJI products but will also benefit from significant exposure through DJI's official platforms and the opportunity for inclusion in the Onboard AI Solutions Catalog. They will have fast-track access to the DJI Enterprise Ecosystem and the prospect of engaging in new product beta tests along with direct technical support from DJI.

About DJI

Founded in 2006, DJI has revolutionized the civilian drone industry by enabling users to elevate their experiences through innovative technology. The company is committed to fostering advancements that align with human progress, focusing on diverse fields including agriculture, renewable energy, public safety, and infrastructure inspection. With a mission to build a better world, DJI continues to enhance the value of its products and services to improve lives globally.

For more details on DJI’s initiatives and solutions, visit DJI's official website.