Will Drone Specialist DJI’s Avinox Become a High-Flyer?

A few days before Eurobike 2024, the news was just one of many press releases that started flooding inboxes shortly before the start of the trade show. On site in Frankfurt am Main, it quickly developed into a real hype. Tech giant DJI has developed its own ebike drive. And not only that. Even its own ebike to go with it.

For some, their eyes immediately widen as soon as the name DJI is mentioned. They are probably following developments in the field of civilian drones and may even own one themselves. Or they are passionate about filming and use gimbals, cameras or microphones from the company based in the southern Chinese technology metropolis of Shenzhen. For others, on the other hand, a big question mark appears on their face.

Out of nowhere

In fact, DJI has appeared in the bicycle industry completely unannounced. Without presenting any studies at previous trade shows. Without cryptic advance announcements on social media channels for years. Without ever having developed another two-wheeled vehicle before. Nevertheless, the manufacturer is immediately credited with the greatest expertise from a wide range of sources. Why? Well, since its foundation in 2006, it has accumulated a wealth of experience in the components that go into an ebike system. For around ten years, DJI has been manufacturing batteries for portable power stations. The rotors of numerous larger drones are driven by brushless electric motors. Its cameras feature displays of various sizes and qualities. And none of the aforementioned products can do without the corresponding app.

Avinox, the new and very first e-drive from DJI, brings all this expertise together. Not necessarily in an absolutely revolutionary way. But bit by bit, component by component, at an extremely high level.

1. DJI Avinox – the motor
2. DJI Avinox – the batteries
3. DJI Avinox – the charger
4. DJI Avinox – the display
5. DJI Avinox – the control units
6. DJI Avinox – the Amflow PL
7. DJI Avinox – first verdict

1. DJI Avinox – the motor

The motor is the first to demonstrate what this means in practice. It is based on a planetary gear with gear wheels. This seems to apply to 90 per cent of all ebike motors. Gear wheels made of plastic have long been standard. And many other manufacturers also use magnesium for their housings to optimally dissipate the heat generated during riding.

With its combination of low weight, compact dimensions and amazing performance, the Avinox motor leaves much of the competition in its wake. It is slightly larger than the ZF Centrix, which also celebrated its premiere at Eurobike. This is primarily due to the space-saving strain wave gear of the ZF Bike Eco System drive unit. In terms of weight, both are on a par at around 2.5 kilograms. The Avinox’s torque tops the ZF Centrix’s 90 Newton metres by a whole 15 Newton metres. And these apply only to operation in the four standard assistance levels Auto, Eco, Trail and Turbo. In addition, for 30 seconds you can select a Boost mode. In this mode, the torque increases to 120 Newton metres. At the same time, the maximum power goes up from the standard 850 watts to a whopping 1,000 watts.

In view of such figures, it is easy to forget that we are still talking about the motor for a regular pedelec. That means that its continuous rated power is 250 watts and it will support you up to a maximum speed of 25 kilometres per hour. If you believe the initial short tests, it hardly makes any noise at all. It should be mentioned that everything we have seen so far has come from test rides on the Eurobike exhibition grounds and not from trails.

DJI Avinox motor at a glance

• torque: 105 Nm
• continuous power: 250 W
• maximum power: 850 W
• weight: 2.52 kg

Many sensors and one algorithm

DJI has installed various sensors in the motor and in other parts of the Avinox. These include an gyroscope sensor. This enables the system to recognise whether you are currently climbing, on a level surface or descending. A Hall sensor is located on the rear brake disc. It records how fast the wheel is turning. Usually, a magnet with exactly one measuring point is used for this. Here, there are 42 measuring points. The system responds accordingly quickly to even the smallest movements of the wheel. For example, if it registers that the rear wheel is spinning, it reduces the motor support so that you regain traction.

Of course, this only happens in Auto mode. This uses a Smart Assist algorithm that incorporates data from all sensors. The Auto mode is designed to be neutral, i.e. not too aggressive and not too relaxed. It is designed to give you a long range. If the setting does not suit your preferences, you can change it in the Avinox app. This applies to all riding modes except Boost mode.

2. DJI Avinox – the batteries

For the batteries, or rather their capacity, the Boost mode is of course the worst case. The figures for the elemental force released in this case have already been mentioned. It should also be mentioned that the battery charge level drops rapidly at such a power level. In addition, very high temperatures are generated in the motor. If you use Boost mode after Boost mode, the system and its temperature sensor will automatically slow you down after a while. A message will appear on the display telling you that you need to take it easy for a while.

In principle, however, the batteries offer enough scope for boost fun. The larger of the two options, with its capacity of 800 watt hours, can handle several such sessions. The smaller battery has 600 watt hours. Both weigh relatively little compared to their storage capacity, at 3.7 kilograms and 2.8 kilograms respectively. If you take the Bosch Powertube 750 with its 4.3 kilograms and the Bosch PowerTube 625 with its 3.7 kilograms as reference values, you could even call them real lightweights.

Both batteries were shown at Eurobike 2024 as permanently installed versions. DJI wanted to reduce their weight to a minimum. In fact, however, they meet all the requirements for being integrated into an ebike as removable batteries.

3. DJI Avinox – the charger

The charging time announced at the trade show caused a stir. The intube battery with 800 watt hours is said to be able to charge from zero to 75 per cent in just 1.5 hours. According to the manufacturer, it takes 2.5 hours to fully charge the battery. With the fastest charger currently available from Bosch, it takes around six hours to fully charge the Bosch Powertube 750.

With DJI, you are much faster due to the use of GaN fast charging technology. This is based on chargers with gallium nitride semiconductors. The current flows better through the material. Due to a charging current of twelve amperes, such large differences result in the end. Special heat sensors in the batteries monitor the charging process and the resulting temperature change. Despite this not inconsiderable stress on the batteries, the manufacturer guarantees that 80 per cent of the original capacity will still be usable after 500 charging cycles.

4. DJI Avinox – the display

DJI also uses GaN chargers in its power stations. Another synergy effect can be seen when looking at the display. This was already available in pretty much the same version. It is the display of the Osmo Pocket 3 camera. With this, it can even be rotated 90 degrees. The two-inch OLED colour display can be operated by touch. According to the manufacturer, this should also work with gloves and while the display is wet. A light sensor ensures that the display is always legible, even in changing light conditions.

You only see what you actually want to see. Each screen can be individually assigned a maximum of four data fields. You can select both the order of the screens and their content in the app. Thanks to the Bluetooth connection, every change is implemented on the display at the same time. Alternatively, you can even do this directly on the display. DJI has placed the on/off button under the screen. Above the screen is a fold-out USB charging port. This delivers up to 65 watts of power. That’s equivalent to a fast charger. So you can charge other things besides “just” your smartphone or bike computer. Of course, this costs battery capacity.

State-of-the-art security solution

The display also features a GPS sensor as well. With the help of this sensor, Avinox records your rides, which you can then share via Strava. The integration of further service providers has already been announced. For many, the sensor’s function as a tracker is at least as important. With it, you can locate an ebike with Avinox at any time. This can be a great advantage, especially in the event of theft.

In fact, DJI has thought of everything when it comes to security. For example, you can use your smartphone as a key. Similar to eBike Lock with the Bosch Smart System. Only that your smartphone and not the display is used to lock and unlock the ebike. If someone tamper with the digitally locked bike and changes its position, an acoustic alarm sounds and you receive a message in the app. Alternatively, the bike can also be locked remotely.

5. DJI Avinox – the control units

Two control units on the left and right of the handlebar complete the ebike. Their appearance and feel are among the few details that, for once, do not evoke a respectful nod from us. They seem a little too big and not particularly ergonomic. In addition, some of you may wonder why you need two of these wireless control units. Like the display, they are connected to the system via Bluetooth. The left-hand unit is used to change the riding modes. The upper button on the right-hand unit gives you alternative access to the display. The lower button can be assigned any function. As the Avinox develops, it may be possible to trigger an action camera linked to the system. The right-hand unit is not absolutely necessary for operating the ebike system. If you prefer, you can remove it for the time being. At present, the display with the touchscreen covers all its functions.

6. DJI Avinox – the Amflow PL

To enable DJI to advance and extensively test the Avinox project undisturbed and away from the public eye, the company has created its own bicycle brand. It is called Amflow and, like Avinox, has not yet appeared on the scene. Even though the official wording is “incubated by DJI”, it can be said that it is a kind of subsidiary. According to reports, former DJI employees have joined forces with experts from the bicycle industry. With growing success and a larger workforce, Amflow should be allowed to operate more and more independently over time, DJI told the magazine “Techradar”.

The Amflow PL is the first e-mountain bike ever to be equipped with the DJI Avinox. DJI could hardly have wished for a better appetiser. A carbon frame houses a suspension system with 160 millimetres of travel at the front and 150 millimetres at the rear. Amflow is introducing three models, with prices ranging from just over 6,000 euros for the entry-level model to under 10,000 euros for the top model. For the latter, Amflow is planning to offer a suspension fork and shock from Fox with Kashima coating, as well as electronic shifting. The version with the smaller 600-watt-hour battery is said to weigh 19.2 kg in frame size M. This makes it an all-mountain bike with an extremely potent suspension and a drive that, at least in terms of the figures, is currently far superior to all its competitors. At absolutely competitive prices. And lighter than 20 kilograms. The competition had better watch out.

7. DJI Avinox – first verdict

We are not the only ones impressed. The organisers of Eurobike also considered it necessary to award DJI the winner’s prize in the “Components” category for the Avinox. It is simply surprising how maturely an absolute newcomer presents its first throw here. The drive system combines things that other systems only partially achieve. The motor is small, quiet and extremely powerful. The batteries combine a high capacity with a relatively light weight. In addition, they can be charged faster than any competitor’s battery. With the display, DJI sets new standards. You get security solutions as standard, for which, for example, Bosch charges extra for both the tracker and its monthly use. And the Avinox app is at least on a par with the competition.

The seriousness of DJI is also demonstrated by the prominent tests that the manufacturer has subjected its system to. The entire Avinox has been certified by TÜV SÜD. Its batteries meet the requirements of the recently tightened regulations of UL Solutions for the US market. And the chargers have been tested by TÜV Rheinland.

Open points

Nevertheless, a certain degree of scepticism seems warranted. Despite all the quality, the drive is one that really only really suits e-mountain bikes. Perhaps also for e-cargo bikes. For all other types of ebikes, the question arises as to whether so much power is really needed. The system still has to prove its stability. This applies primarily to the motor and the batteries. No word has been said about distribution so far. DJI refers to its global network of over 20 service centres. In terms of the global bicycle market, this is a negligible number.

Difficult situation

It also remains to be seen which bicycle brands will want to work with DJI at all and whether Amflow will be able to operate freely as a partner brand on the world market. After all, the US Department of Defense has the company on a blacklist. It is said to have connections to the Chinese military. The US military considers DJI drones to be a security risk and has banned their purchase. As head of state, the president can impose further sanctions. In Germany, at least the government sees the situation differently. According to the magazine “Business Insider”, the Federal Ministry of Defence is planning to purchase commercial drones from DJI.

How close is DJI to the state?

The manufacturer itself has repeatedly criticised the military use of its products. In response to the war in Ukraine, it banned the sale of its drones in Russia and Ukraine. Nevertheless, criticism of DJI’s business decisions continues to emerge. For example, Charles Rollet, an analyst with the surveillance research group IPVM, reported to the Arabic news service Al Jazeera that DJI had accepted funds from the state fund of the People’s Republic of China, China Chengtong. The fund’s aim is to merge the military and civilian economy.

In response, company spokesperson Adam Lisberg justified DJI’s actions. “DJI does not fall under any categories set by the law to be included on the list. DJI is not a military company in China, the United States or anywhere else. DJI has never designed or manufactured military-grade equipment, and has never marketed or sold its products for military use in any country. Instead, we have always developed products to benefit society and save lives.”

Skirmishes like this are now part of the daily routine in times of growing military and economic rivalry between China and the USA. So far, the bicycle industry has not been affected by this conflict. It is quite possible that bicycle manufacturers want to keep it that way and prefer to steer clear of DJI. As great as Avinox may be.

 

Pictures: SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.; Amflow Bicycles (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.