Why did we make the DJI Mini 3 Pro?
The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the latest and most powerful drone in our Mini series, incorporating the industry's best technology into the smallest and safest airframe. From the beginning, the Mini series has impressed our customers by providing DJI quality features in a tiny package. In the case of the Mini 3 Pro, our hard-working engineers have done it again!
But how?
We sat down with one of our product managers, Lee, to talk candidly about how his team went about designing the Mini 3 Pro to exceed high expectations. He explained how challenging it was to incorporate new capabilities when every gram and millimeter is precious; how great new ideas have solved problems that have resisted incremental attempts; and how his team had to forget everything they knew about using drones to design for clients who had their own ideas about what they wanted from DJI's next Mini. 
DJI Mini 3 Pro is small and powerful to capture any adventure. Photo by Murat Yildirim.
A new beginning for the DJI Mini series
To best understand how we got to the DJI Mini 3 Pro, it's important to go back to why DJI created the Mini series of drones. Lee first joined the product team tasked with creating the Mini series in 2018, at a time when major drone laws and weight categories were becoming more defined.
“Eventually, many countries have introduced 250 grams as the dividing line for drones that are considered the safest,” Lee shared with us. “This limit gave us a clear starting point: make a drone that weighs 249 grams or less .”
This starting point was naturally a challenge, as a DJI drone of this weight did not yet exist. No one knew if such a small drone would be good for anything. However, Lee and his team saw this challenge as an opportunity to provide the drone community with a product that complies with these new laws. This was also the period when portability of drones became increasingly important, so the team set two goals that such a lightweight drone could meet: extreme portability and unquestionable compliance with legislation, while also having with the performance and capability to be called a DJI drone. (It should be three goals.)
Four years and three DJI Mini models later, the goals remain the same, but the bar has been raised. 
DJI Mini 3 Pro also introduces DJI RC. Photo by Murat Yildirim.
Looking at challenges from new perspectives
Since the weight limit is a clear red line in the development of a Mini product, every new function or modified feature means constant pressure towards crossing the red line. Or as Lee put it: "In the beginning, we were on an unknown path, and the only way forward was to go even further."
Product development is divided into separate teams, with each team focusing on a specific aspect of the drone, such as the drive system, camera system, and obstacle sensors. Whenever a team came up with a new structure, they had to study how it affected another structure. Therefore, according to Lee, the manufacturing process was "a constant process of mutual checks and balances to find the optimal solution." "The entire process is a vivid example of our system engineering work and teamwork."
A perfect example of this balancing act was the development of the completely redesigned obstacle detection system, where the rear-facing sensors were placed on the front of the drone for the first time. This placement ended up being a solution to a number of challenges.
To reduce overall weight, the team looked into replacing the internal cooling fan, which was ultimately achieved by redesigning the rear propellers and trailing arms to channel air into a series of vents at the rear. However, this novel cooling solution came with a trade-off: the new propeller and arm structure prevented rearward-facing sensors from seeing unobstructed. If the propellers and rear arms were raised, the rear sensors would have a clear view, but this would place the propellers further away from the holes, reducing their cooling ability and shortening battery life. So one problem soon became a bunch of problems.
After several rounds of consultation and redesign, a completely different idea emerged: why not place the rearward-facing sensors toward the front of the aircraft? This had never been used before, but the team found that it could work perfectly. "Suddenly, we realized that all the problems were solved after we moved the sensors forward," Lee said. Unique solutions like this are the engine of the team's innovative drive.
“Sometimes we get caught up in our own obsessions or preconceived notions when it comes to design. But new thinking and new ideas can be the key to unlocking these kinds of bottlenecks.” 
The new rear sensor and cooling design of the DJI Mini 3 Pro solved a lot of problems. Photo by Murat Yildirim.
Keeping all users in mind
The DJI Mini series has made flying drones easier than ever, something Lee and the team are extremely proud of. At the same time, they realized that they had to take into account a widening range of user behaviors that had not been taken into account before.
"Before, it wasn't that difficult to find the general direction of the product. Product managers are users themselves, so if a new drone met their needs, it usually coincided with what the drone community wanted. But as the community grew, it became clear that there was a gap between how we perceived how people were using a drone and how they were actually using it.”
Lee and his colleagues like to take out their drones themselves to make road videos, follow their cars and capture the scenery around them. But they realized that other users don't really behave the same way. Parents would fly with their children for weekend fun. Retirees would use it to supplement personal photography. Young users would film their own content and post it to their social media stream. In order to bridge this gap, the team had to move on. 
DJI Mini 3 Pro and DJI RC are the result of user feedback. Photo by Murat Yildirim.
"Generations of DJI Mini drones gave us the opportunity to create a system for communicating with users. We receive feedback through questionnaires, gather user scenarios and satisfaction through surveys, and engage in valuable conversations in retail locations and after-sales interactions. All of this information helps us to see if the original design intent and actual user behavior are in line with each other.”
Through this feedback, Li and his team were able to create a drone that families can easily pack up and fly all weekend long, a drone with a camera that photographers can trust to bring their visions to life, and a drone that aspiring content creators can use to share unique perspectives and full-quality vertical shots. And above all, a drone that raises the bar for creation. And that's essentially what the "Pro" in DJI Mini 3 Pro stands for.
"Just because a Mini drone is portable and compatible doesn't make it entry-level. The DJI Mini 3 Pro represents the highest possible performance and versatility that we can currently place in a drone weighing less than 250 grams. It is the highest quality and most advanced performance drone in the safest consumer drone category.” 
Capture the perfect image of the waterfall with the True Vertical Shooting function. Photo by Murat Yildirim.
DJI Mini 3 Pro: The fruit of our labor
During our conversation, we often heard about the endless collaboration that Lee had with his colleagues. And for his team, it was the only way to make the Mini 3 Pro happen.
"The relationship and close cooperation between departments is a valuable strength of our team. Creating products with DJI's technology and product capabilities is great, but with each new project we can make each other better as we solve challenges and explore new paths. This is the most important aspect for us!"
And with that, Lee, his teammates, and DJI are proud to bring you the DJI Mini 3 Pro. And wherever you take it, we hope you'll create big things with a mini-flight.
All images courtesy of Murat Yildirim, Marketing Specialist at DJI Europe. For more of his work, please visit his Instagram account: muratmcmxc .
The blog was written by Christopher Tuazon, Head of Communications at DJI
