DJI Launches Initial 360-Degree Drone Model While Engaged in Patent Conflict with Insta360

Chinese technology firm DJI introduced its inaugural 360-degree drone on Thursday, entering a developing market segment currently dominated by domestic competitor Insta360. The new product, named DJI Avata 360, represents a notable departure from the company's conventional aerial photography focus. This drone incorporates a forward-facing omnidirectional camera that records high dynamic range imagery at 8K resolution and 60 frames per second. Priced from 4,388 yuan (approximately US$626), the device features four propellers and bears visual resemblance to DJI's Avata 2 model, a first-person view drone released earlier in 2024. The announcement occurs against the backdrop of an intensifying intellectual property dispute between the two Shenzhen-based companies. Insta360's founder and chief executive Liu Jingkang responded to the launch by stating that after examining relevant patents, internal assessments suggest all contested innovations originated within his company. This development highlights growing competition in specialized drone technology markets and raises questions about intellectual property boundaries in emerging product categories.