← Back to context

Comment by palata

15 days ago

> That is to say, if you can make a drone for $200, and DJI puts one out for $50, you don't really stand chance

The situation was more that western companies could make a drone for $1000, and DJI would make a significantly better drone for $500. Were they both $1000, the DJI drone would still clearly be better.

I am not praising DJI for free here. I just think that we need to face the truth. There is no way to improve with denial.

5 comments

palata

Reply
ryandrake  15 days ago

It's not like their drones run on Black Magic or Wizardry. Surely someone can just buy that $50 drone, take it apart, see what components they are using and how much their costs are, and start from there?

  • palata  14 days ago

    Yes, that's what we do!

    But haven't we been saying this in the West forever: "the Chinese copy: they buy our products, take them apart, and just copy"?

    Now we realize that they actually learned, and it was not straightforward. They are ahead in robotics, and we can't just "copy": we have to learn. And it takes time.

    • seanmcdirmid  14 days ago

      It isn’t clear they aren’t taking a loss on each of their drones. If they are, you c ant really copy it at the price point they are selling it for.

      1 reply →