The Autel EVO Max series has established itself as a robust and versatile option for commercial drone applications, serving industries such as public safety, inspections, and emergency response. While the broader drone market is highly competitive, the EVO Max series stands out for its advanced autonomy features, multi-sensor payloads, and reliable performance in challenging environments.

Recently, Autel Robotics introduced the next iteration of this series with the EVO Max 4T XE. This latest model refines the 4T’s capabilities, most notably through upgrades to its camera sensor, offering more precise imaging for professionals in demanding industries.

In this blog, we’ll provide a detailed, technical comparison between the EVO Max 4T XE and EVO Max 4T. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of how these models differ and which might best meet your operational needs.

Upgraded Payload, Clearer Vision

EVO Max 4T XE: The FusionLight Camera Suite

The EVO Max 4T XE introduces a highly capable payload suite. At the core of its functionality is the FusionLight Camera, which integrates:

• 48MP 10x Optical Zoom Camera: Offers 160x hybrid zoom and sharp, detailed visuals for inspections and critical monitoring at extended ranges.
• Ultra-Sensitive Wide-Angle Camera: A 48MP, f/2.8 aperture camera with an 83.4° field of view, optimized for low-light conditions and wide-area imaging.
• Thermal Imaging Camera: Features a resolution of 640×512, a 9.1mm focal length, and 16x digital zoom, capable of detecting temperatures from -4°F to 1022°F with a measurement accuracy of ±2°C or ±2% of the reading.
• Laser Rangefinder: Measures distances up to 1,200 meters with a precision of ±(1m + D×0.15%), ideal for surveying and emergency management.

These features make the 4T XE particularly well-suited for complex operations requiring high-resolution imaging and multi-sensor versatility.

Comparison with the EVO Max 4T

The EVO Max 4T, while a capable predecessor, has slightly less refined payload features:

• Zoom Camera: Features a 48MP camera with 10x optical zoom and 160x hybrid zoom, similar to the 4T XE.
• Wide-Angle Camera: Lacks the ultra-sensitive enhancements found in the 4T XE.
• Thermal Camera: Matches the 640×512 resolution but has a longer 13mm focal length, resulting in a narrower field of view.
• Laser Rangefinder: Identical specifications to the 4T XE.

Smarter Autonomy, Safer Flights

The EVO Max 4T XE builds on the robust autonomous flight capabilities of its predecessor, introducing significant advancements for complex environments.

Enhanced High-Precision Navigation

The 4T XE incorporates SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping) technology for accurate indoor and outdoor navigation. By using 3D scene reconstruction, it delivers stable flight even in areas with weak or obstructed GPS signals, such as:

• Industrial facilities or warehouses.
• Urban canyons or mountainous regions.

All-Weather Obstacle Avoidance

The 4T XE combines binocular fisheye vision and millimeter-wave radar for 720° all-around sensing, allowing it to detect obstacles in low-visibility conditions like fog or darkness. This advanced system significantly reduces collision risks during high-stakes missions.

Improved Flight Performance

• Maximum Speed: Capable of reaching up to 23 m/s, the 4T XE excels in windy environments, ensuring operational stability.
• Fail-Safe Return-to-Home (RTH): Enhanced to navigate complex terrains and ensure a secure return even under signal disruption.
• Hot-Swappable Battery: Allows for uninterrupted operations, enabling extended field use without downtime for battery replacements.

A-Mesh Networking Upgrades

A-Mesh networking is a key innovation in the EVO Max series, enabling drones to operate collaboratively in complex environments. By supporting dynamic communication between multiple drones and ground terminals, A-Mesh extends operational range and ensures seamless performance in areas with limited or no network connectivity.

With the EVO Max 4T XE, Autel has further refined A-Mesh to improve reliability and adaptability:

• Enhanced Device Interconnectivity: The 4T XE optimizes "one-to-many" and "dual-control" modes, allowing for smoother transitions and more efficient collaboration between drones and ground teams.
• Improved Networking Stability: Upgrades in the XE model provide better performance in signal-degraded environments, ensuring uninterrupted communication even across challenging terrains like mountains or dense urban areas.

These refinements make the 4T XE’s A-Mesh system more dependable for large-scale operations requiring coordinated drone deployments, marking a step forward from its predecessor.

Build, Durability, and Flight Performance

The EVO Max 4T XE maintains the rugged build and reliable flight capabilities of the EVO Max 4T while introducing subtle but impactful improvements to better handle demanding operational environments.

Upgrades in Build Quality and Durability

• Improved Weather Resistance: While both models carry an IP43 rating, the 4T XE’s upgraded sealing and materials provide enhanced performance in environments with persistent dust or light rain, ensuring longer operational durability.
• Optimized Wind Resistance: The 4T XE features slightly better stability in high-wind conditions, supporting operations in wind speeds of up to 23 m/s (similar to the 4T) but with improved flight handling during sudden gusts.

Enhanced Flight Performance

• Battery Life and Range: The EVO Max 4T XE matches the 4T with a 42-minute flight time and 15-km transmission range, but enhancements in its energy management system improve endurance in extreme temperatures, reducing downtime for battery cooling.

Who Is the EVO Max 4T XE For?

The Autel EVO Max 4T XE is tailored for professionals who demand precision, versatility, and reliability in high-stakes environments. With its upgraded FusionLight Camera suite, robust autonomous navigation, and advanced networking capabilities, the 4T XE excels across a variety of industries:

Public Safety

The 4T XE’s 4K zoom camera and thermal imaging capabilities enable real-time assessment of hazardous situations, such as tracking suspects during law enforcement operations or locating missing persons in large crowds.

Energy and Utility Inspections

The wide-angle camera and laser rangefinder provide detailed imaging and precise distance measurements, allowing operators to identify faults or wear without requiring direct access to dangerous or hard-to-reach infrastructure.

Firefighting

The thermal imaging camera detects high-temperature areas through dense smoke, giving firefighters critical information to prioritize suppression efforts and protect personnel.

Search and Rescue

The 4T XE’s thermal camera excels at detecting heat signatures in low-visibility conditions, while its autonomous navigation ensures stable operation in GPS-compromised areas like dense forests or canyons.

Private and Commercial Security

The A-Mesh networking capability enables multi-drone coordination for continuous monitoring, while the zoom camera captures high-resolution images for identifying potential threats over long distances.