If you’ve been following DJI’s trajectory, from their early Phantom quads that democratized aerial photography back in 2013 to their recent enterprise push, the latest FlyCart 100 feels like a natural evolution of the brand. Solving an issue in the logistics world when it comes to moving serious weight in locations where trucks can’t reach and helicopters aren’t cost-efficient, the new cargo drone will be a real game-changer for businesses and consumers.
From Everest to Everywhere
The FlyCart 30 proved the concept when it hauled gear up Mount Everest, but the FC100 triples down on that premise. It can carry 220lbs of max payload, though the practical sweet spot will be around 143lbs over 7.5 miles with dual batteries or 176lbs for shorter trips under 4 miles with a single battery.
That’s a massive leap from the FC30’s 66-pound ceiling. DJI accomplished this through bigger carbon fiber props (62″), beefier motors with more torque, and an optimized wing design that somehow keeps the same coaxial quad-axis, eight-rotor configuration while dramatically increasing capability.
The thing about cargo drones is they’ve always existed in this weird space between military logistics heritage and consumer tech innovation. DJI’s leaning hard into the latter, bringing the same iterative refinement they applied to the Mavic and Inspire lines. Their approach here borrows from decades of military UAV development — long endurance, autonomous navigation, redundant systems — but packages it with the kind of polish and ecosystem thinking that made them dominant in the prosumer market.
Built for the Worst Days
The Intelligent Safety System layers high-precision LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar with 360-degree detection, and a penta-vision camera array for environmental awareness. Then there’s the integrated parachute that slows descent to around 15 mph if things go sideways. With an IP55 water- and dust-resistance, the drone has an operating range that spans -4°F to 104°F, altitude ceiling up to 19,685 ft, and it handles winds up to 27 mph.
The new Flagship Winch System deserves its own mention, with nearly 100ft of of cable with 2.68mph retraction speed even under heavy loads, plus an electric hook that handles loading and unloading efficiently.
Power Management Done Right
DJI’s Energy System supports ultra-fast charging via the C12000 charger or D14000iE generator. The dual 41Ah batteries feature hot-swap capability and redundancy — if one cell fails, operations continue. Their Battery Incubator pre-heats packs for cold weather performance, addressing one of the biggest issues with year-round deployment. There’s also a nine-minute quick-charging time from 30% to 95%.
Software That Scales
The new DJI Delivery App and DeliveryHub platform feature A-B Route Mode, AR Display, real-time status monitoring, and cargo transport details in a streamlined interface. DeliveryHub handles fleet management, route planning, team coordination, and data analytics. For organizations wanting custom solutions, the FC100 supports PSDK and high-power third-party payloads. It’s the kind of full-stack approach that suggests DJI is working on building an ecosystem for scaled logistics operations.
Spec Sheet
Model: DJI FlyCart 100 (FC100)
Maximum Payload: 220 lbs (143 lbs for 7.5 miles, 176 lbs for 3.7 miles)
Max Takeoff Weight: 375 lbs
Operating Temperature: -4°F to 104°F
Max Altitude: 19,685 ft
Wind Resistance: Up to 27 mph
IP Rating: IP55
Battery: Dual 41Ah hot-swappable, 9-minute fast charging
Video Transmission: DJI O4, 12.4 miles max range (FCC)
Safety Systems: LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, penta-vision cameras, integrated parachute
Weight: 122 lbs (with lifting system), 133 lbs (with winch system)
Pricing & Availability
The FlyCart 100 is available now through authorized DJI Delivery dealers. Pricing sits around $12,500.
Recap
DJI FlyCart 100 Drone
DJI’s new FlyCart 100 is their most capable cargo drone yet, hauling up to 220 lbs nearly 20,000 ft in the air, with the kind of industrial-grade safety features and power management that actually matter when you’re moving critical supplies in harsh conditions.
