DJI USA Ban Loophole? Meet The SPECTA And SPECTA Mini

As drone enthusiasts and industry watchers hold their breath over a potential ban on DJI drones in the U.S., it appears the renowned drone manufacturer may already be devising ways to sidestep the restrictions. 

 

 

The introduction of the SPECTA and SPECTA Mini by Hong Kong-based Cogito Tech Company Limited has raised eyebrows, with many speculating these drones are DJI clones designed to circumvent the impending ban.

The Background: A Ban on the Horizon

Earlier this month, there were reports of a similar strategy employed by Anzu Robotics, which licensed DJI's Mavic 3E to create the Raptor. This maneuver was seen as a potential loophole to maintain DJI's presence in the U.S. market even if a ban were implemented. The latest development involves Cogito Tech Company Limited's SPECTA and SPECTA Mini, which were first reported by The Hill as suspiciously similar to DJI's popular consumer drones.

FCC Approval and Speculation

Cogito's drones have received FCC approval, a significant step for any electronic product entering the U.S. market. Detailed examinations of the FCC filings for these drones reveal striking similarities to DJI's models. Notably, the label images for the SPECTA Mini's controller bear an uncanny resemblance to DJI's RC-N2 controller. The font, style, and layout are nearly identical, with the only significant difference being the removal of DJI's logo.

Digging into the Details

Our weekend spent scrutinizing these filings did not yield definitive proof that Cogito's drones are rebranded DJI products, but the evidence is compelling. The RF emissions reports for Cogito’s and DJI’s controllers are almost indistinguishable, save for a few reorders of figures and the absence of DJI's branding. This raises questions about the likelihood of two separate products having identical RF emissions profiles.

The Drone Lineup

The Hill suggests that Cogito might be licensing drone technology from DJI, allowing them to manufacture and import these drones into the U.S. If true, this would explain the near-identical specifications and designs. The SPECTA Mini appears to be a clone of DJI's Mini 4 Pro, while the regular SPECTA's identity remains speculative. Given DJI's current product lineup, the SPECTA could potentially be a rebranded Air 3 or the upcoming Mavic 4.

If Cogito is indeed DJI's partner for licensed consumer drones, we might expect the following lineup:

SPECTA SE (Mini SE 4K)
SPECTA Mini (Mini 4 Pro)
SPECTA (Air 3)
SPECTA Pro (Mavic 4)

What Lies Ahead

The fate of DJI drones in the U.S. market now hinges on the Senate's version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act and whether the proposed ban will be enacted. If the ban goes into effect and protests by DJI fail, the hope is that existing drones and any new models by Anzu and Cogito will remain available, ensuring continuity for U.S. drone users.

Navigating the Uncertainty

In the face of regulatory challenges, DJI appears to be exploring innovative strategies to maintain its market presence. The emergence of Cogito’s SPECTA and SPECTA Mini suggests a potential path forward for DJI, allowing them to continue serving their U.S. customer base despite legal obstacles. As we await further developments, one thing is clear: the drone landscape is poised for significant shifts in the coming months.

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Vertical Bar Media

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Source: Drone DJ

Photo Credit: AI

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