DJI Agras
A series of multirotor agricultural drones by DJI.
The DJI Agras is a line of multirotor agricultural drones from the Chinese company DJI. The series debuted in 2015 with a 10-liter pesticide tank, and later models increased tank capacity up to 100 liters. These drones are designed for aerial spraying and have also been used in military operations and disease control.
The first model, the Agras MG-1, launched in November 2015 as DJI’s first agriculture-focused drone. It is a foldable octocopter with four XR11001 spray nozzles and a 10-kilogram (10-liter) tank. The sealed body includes a centrifugal cooling system for the motors, with a filter to reduce particle intake and motor wear. Each nozzle has its own motor and adjusts spray intensity based on airspeed. The drone can return to a saved position after refilling and recharging. Powered by a DJI MG-12000 battery, it hovers for 24 minutes at a 12.5 kg takeoff weight or 10 minutes at 22.5 kg.
The improved MG-1S arrived in November 2016, adding forward and rearward obstacle avoidance and support for both manual and automatic operation. The MG-1S RTK, released at the same time, includes a built-in real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning module. In November 2017, the MG-1SA added a first-person view (FPV) camera. That same month, the MG-1P and MG-1P RTK launched, featuring an FPV camera, four XR11001VS nozzles, and a MG-12000P battery, giving hover times of 20 minutes at 13.8 kg or 9 minutes at 23.8 kg.
The Agras T16, released in December 2018, succeeded the MG-series. It is a hexacopter with six motors and foldable R3390 propellers, redesigned for an IP67 environmental rating. Its tank holds 16 liters, with eight XR11001VS nozzles fed by four pumps; optional XR110015VS nozzles increase spray rate from 3.6 L/min to 4.8 L/min. The T16 uses GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou satellites with RTK positioning, and includes an FPV camera, RD2418R digital beamforming radar, obstacle avoidance, and a 17500 mAh battery. Hover time is 18 minutes at 24.5 kg or 10 minutes at 39.5 kg.
An enlarged T20 launched in November 2020 with a 20-liter tank and omnidirectional RD2428R radar. It uses eight SX11001VS nozzles (3.6 L/min), with optional SX110015VS (4.8 L/min) and XR11002VS (6 L/min) nozzles. Its 18000 mAh battery provides 15 minutes of hover at 27.5 kg or 10 minutes at 42.6 kg.
Quick Facts
- Aircraft Type
- Agricultural drone
- National Origin
- China
- Manufacturer
- DJI
- Construction Date
- 2015–present
- Developed Into
- DJI FlyCart
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The Agras series began with the MG-1, an octocopter released in November 2015 with a 10 L pesticide tank and four spray nozzles. Subsequent MG-series models added obstacle avoidance, RTK positioning, and FPV cameras. In December 2018, the T16 hexacopter succeeded the MG-series with a 16 L tank and IP67-rated structure. Later T-series models increased tank capacities and introduced features such as omnidirectional radar, dual FPV cameras, and phased array radar systems. The T40 and T50 octo-quad models offered spreading capabilities for dry fertilizer. The T60, released in China in November 2023, featured new electronic speed controllers and a 60 kg maximum payload. In November 2024, the T70, T70P, and T100 were released in China, with the T100 having a 100 L tank and new AI flight algorithms.
Reader's Guide
The DJI Agras series represents a significant evolution in agricultural drone technology, transitioning from the initial 10 L MG-1 to the 100 L T100. Its use in the Zanzibar Malaria Elimination Program to test silicone-based pesticides and in COVID-19 disinfection trials at Chicagoland Park demonstrates its adaptability beyond conventional farming. The series' progression from octocopter to hexacopter and octo-quad configurations, along with increasing tank capacities and advanced navigation systems including GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou, reflects ongoing refinement for agricultural efficiency. The Agras has also been employed for military applications, underscoring its versatility. Its legacy lies in establishing DJI as a major player in precision agriculture, with models continually updated to meet larger payload and operational demands.
Did You Know?
- The Agras MG-1 was DJI's first drone designed specifically for agriculture.
- The Agras T16 was the first model to use a hexacopter configuration.
- Agras drones were used in Zanzibar to test silicone-based pesticides against malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
- The Agras T100, released in November 2024, has a 100 L tank capacity.
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