What are metal contacts on base of Spark battery?

[Londroner]

Forgive a newbie question but what are the four metal squares on the base of every Spark battery for? They look like charging contacts but none of the current charging methods for the Spark seem to use them. Just curious as they don't seem to have an obvious function.

 

[DesertWindAero]

They are charging contacts for a yet-to-be-released charging unit.

 

[Spark 317]

It's for this future charger that is not out yet.

Maybe just a prototype for now.

 

[Londroner]

Thanks, that's fascinating. An as-yet unused feature of a drone that constantly surprises me.

 

[Darren Roach]

Unless it will charge the battery in just a few minutes then a pretty pointless unit and a total waist of money.
It takes seconds to swoop out a battery and with chargers that charge batteries all at once and power inverters to charge on site what would be the point except to make them more money.

 

[Kilrah]

A protective charge box you can just throw in your backpack and have it charge while you're walking will certainly appeal to some who wouldn't want to bother with battery packs, inverters and the like

 

[The Editor]

Forgive a newbie question but what are the four metal squares on the base of every Spark battery for? They look like charging contacts but none of the current charging methods for the Spark seem to use them. Just curious as they don't seem to have an obvious function.

I wonder if this has been asked previously?
Hmmm... Now, let's try the search function....
4 GOLD Sqaures on battery bottom

What are the four pads (pins, connector) on the bottom of the battery?

Spark battery

 

[BRSS]

You're so caustic

 

[Londroner]

I wonder if this has been asked previously?
Hmmm... Now, let's try the search function....
4 GOLD Sqaures on battery bottom

What are the four pads (pins, connector) on the bottom of the battery?

Spark battery

Thanks for pointing out the bleedin' obvious! I DID do a search but for metal contacts not shiny gold squares.

 

[The Editor]

Thanks for pointing out the bleedin' obvious! I DID do a search but for metal contacts not shiny gold squares.

'bottom of battery' would have been sufficient.

 

[Londroner]

Caustic and righteous. I'm impressed.

 

[The Editor]

Caustic and righteous. I'm impressed.

Thank you, you're most kind.

 

[Buddy411]

I can see these being useful in an autonomous fleet application. Have a dozen Sparks that automatically return to charge after deployment. It would also make a useful show to attach lights and sensors.

 

[Darren Roach]

A protective charge box you can just throw in your backpack and have it charge while you're walking will certainly appeal to some who wouldn't want to bother with battery packs, inverters and the like

A charge box will just add extra weight to your back pack. It would be much simpler to carry extra batteries

 

[Londroner]

It's for this future charger that is not out yet.
Maybe just a prototype for now.

Just realised I'd already seen this charger without realising it. It was in one of DJI's own publicity videos for the Spark launch in New York. If you hadn't uploaded that image I wouldn't have ever known what it was!

Check out the video, the charger appears (very) briefly at 1:48min.

 

[Kilrah]

A charge box will just add extra weight to your back pack. It would be much simpler to carry extra batteries

Barely more than the extra batteries, but probably much cheaper.