Please select Into the mobile phone version | Continue to access the computer ver.
Neo strange behaviour with low sun in sky
569 8 2024-11-22
Uploading and Loding Picture ...(0/1)
o(^-^)o
Andycap
lvl.3
Flight distance : 646365 ft
  • >>>
United Kingdom
Offline

Hi.
Yesterday i had my neo following me on a bike ride. Was following in autonomous mode with no phone or controller connection.  On my way up a track, the neo performed perfectly for the whole ride.  On my return down the same track I had a fly away and crash.  After watching the video I noticed that there was some strange behaviour everytime the low sun came into frame.  This included changing follow position and height, nearly crashing into a sign that was about 6ft to the left of my course, and ending with a wild flyaway causing it to hit a small tree to my right that was about 20 ft away and then climbing and flying away to the left of me for about 100ft before crashing into some bushes.  The Neo stopped recording when it hit the first tree so did not record the final flyaway and crash.  I will include a video of the strange behaviour leading up to the crash.

DJI if you are reading this.  These issues need sorting in the next firmware update.  There are far too many flyaway and uncontrolable issues with the Neo.  This has shaken my trust in the Neo and am considering my next move with it.

I do not need to send it in as there was no damage caused with it only hitting thin branches and then crashing into a soft bush before falling into long grass.  I can not produce any logs as it was in autonomous mode, although i do have the video and SRT file that i will attach.

On all strange behaviour parts, i noticed from the SRT file that the shutter speed went in excess of 1/1000.0 sometimes reaching 1/1200.0.

When the Neo finally went mad, there was no water or shiny surfaces, just dirt/gravel and grass below it.

Just incase video did not upload, here is a youtube link.  

Andy.

DJI_20241121150229_0008_D_NEO.zip

256.93 KB, Down times: 0

2024-11-22
Use props
umpa
lvl.4
Flight distance : 19560 ft

United Kingdom
Offline

Andy,
Which filter were you using on the camera?
2024-11-22
Use props
Andycap
lvl.3
Flight distance : 646365 ft
  • >>>
United Kingdom
Offline

umpa Posted at 11-22 07:47
Andy,
Which filter were you using on the camera?

I was not using any filters on the Neo.  Only had it for a week.
2024-11-22
Use props
umpa
lvl.4
Flight distance : 19560 ft

United Kingdom
Offline

Andycap Posted at 11-22 07:54
I was not using any filters on the Neo.  Only had it for a week.

Nice choice of music by the way...

I noticed that when riding in to the Sun the drone lost tracking a few times,  you are rather dark and almost the same colour as the path, perhaps the drone simply lost tracking because of this.

That said when it freaked out, the video quality looked fairly ok,  I have seen this before on many flyaway video's and from what I can make out it is when there is either not enough light (even though it does not look to dark) or the video is high contrast.

Not saying this is the reason for you, but it seems to be the main reason for many.
2024-11-22
Use props
Andycap
lvl.3
Flight distance : 646365 ft
  • >>>
United Kingdom
Offline

umpa Posted at 11-22 08:07
Nice choice of music by the way...

I noticed that when riding in to the Sun the drone lost tracking a few times,  you are rather dark and almost the same colour as the path, perhaps the drone simply lost tracking because of this.

Hi umpa
Thanks for your input.

I thought the same about the high contrast, but as you see, the Neo did not lose track of me.  It kept facing me until it hit the tree.  I heard the change in sound from it so slowed down a bit and you see me face the Neo as it hit the tree.  I think DJI need to look at what the drone does when it either loses track or loses good view of the ground.  Looking at the SRT file, the Neo was using GPS as the coordinates are correct, but it does not seem to use the gps for position hold.  If DJI set the drone to hold gps coordinates when tracking fails or ground tracking fails, then this might prevent some of the flyways.  They could even force it to land on error.

It should also be possible if using a phone to control it, to enable gps and always have the phone location as the home point.  (Would not have helped me on this occasion but it it had it i would use it)
2024-11-22
Use props
DJI Gamora
Administrator
Online

Hi there,

Thank You for reaching out. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience you are experiencing. DJI Neo is light and compact, and relies heavily on its vision positioning system for stable flight, especially in environments with no or weak GPS signals. Vision positioning is highly dependent on ambient light and ground textures. In low-light conditions or areas with plain and uniform ground textures, the drone may not be able to hover stably. Therefore, we recommend that you shoot using DJI Neo in environments with ample light and distinct ground patterns.

In your case, the video shows that the DJI Neo's recording was likely affected by direct sunlight facing the camera, causing the subject to appear dark, which may have triggered the unusual behavior. Please try using Follow Mode in a different location and let us know if the issue persists.

I hope this information has helped to clarify your inquiries. If you have any other questions, kindly let us know. Thank You!
2024-11-22
Use props
Montfrooij
Captain
Flight distance : 2882041 ft
  • >>>
Netherlands
Offline

Those are challenging conditions for optical tracking.
2024-12-3
Use props
Andycap
lvl.3
Flight distance : 646365 ft
  • >>>
United Kingdom
Offline

DJI Gamora Posted at 11-22 22:15
Hi there,

Thank You for reaching out. We are truly sorry for the inconvenience you are experiencing. DJI Neo is light and compact, and relies heavily on its vision positioning system for stable flight, especially in environments with no or weak GPS signals. Vision positioning is highly dependent on ambient light and ground textures. In low-light conditions or areas with plain and uniform ground textures, the drone may not be able to hover stably. Therefore, we recommend that you shoot using DJI Neo in environments with ample light and distinct ground patterns.

Hi.

Thanks for your reply.  On other tests, if the neo looses lock on me, it just stops and hovers.  It should not go flying off in all directions and crash.  Would it not be better to have it land if it looses track and has low or unstable gps lock, or poor downward vision.  

I agree it may have lost lock on me due to the low sun, but it was still bright daylight and plenty of texture and light for the downward sensor.  The only thing i do not know is what state the gps was in due to me flying it autonomously.

DJI please look into and solve the issues as the Neo could be a great device if it could be trusted.  There are loads of messages on this site relating to out of control/fly away issues.

I have not flown mine since this issue and am reluctant to trust it outdoors in case it fly's away or worse crashes into someone or property causing injury or damage.

I am holding off flying it and waiting for a firmware update to sort the issues.  I have until 31st January 2025 to return to Amazon, so will wait as long as I can, but if no fix, I will be returning it.

Regards. Andy.
2024-12-5
Use props
DJI Gamora
Administrator
Online

Andycap Posted at 12-5 03:24
Hi.

Thanks for your reply.  On other tests, if the neo looses lock on me, it just stops and hovers.  It should not go flying off in all directions and crash.  Would it not be better to have it land if it looses track and has low or unstable gps lock, or poor downward vision.  

Thank you Andycap,

We will voice this feedback and concern to our corresponding team.
Should you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach us.
2024-12-6
Use props
Advanced
You need to log in before you can reply Login | Register now

Credit Rules