Intel is aiming to hit great heights with the Falcon 8+ drone system. Announced by Josh Walden, senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s New Technology Group, this drone is for commercial use; built for industrial inspection and surveying. The Falcon 8+ drone is a system made up of the AscTec drone, the Intel Cockpit and Intel Powerpack.
The Falcon 8+ Drone
Intel’s drone is for professionals and experts. The system and technology found on the Falcon 8+ will give its users a high level of detailed data on areas of interest. The AscTec Falcon 8 drone is available in Europe. Intel is taking the AscTec Falcon 8 and giving the system some upgrades. The system is a ready-to-fly UAV with the best-in-class onboard sensors and automated aerial-sensing solutions.
The Falcon 8 is one of the top commercial drones. It claims to have “best performance and weight to payload ratio; high stability in bad conditions; payloads that are exchanged without effort and are deeply integrated; Strong against magnetic field disturbances; Best-in-class safety; and high precision GPS.”
There is the triple-redundant AscTec Trinity autopilot powering the drone. The accuracy of the ground sample distance (GSD) produced by the sensors is to the millimeter. The flight path will be able to be reproduced from consistent waypoint automation. For users, this will mean the opportunity to collect valuable aerial precision data.
The body of the Falcon 8+ is a patented V-Shape octocopter. The fully electronic system redundancy has redundant communication connecting all flight-relevant components and redundant sensing.
Cockpit and Battery
Intel’s Cockpit mobile ground station controls the drone. A new design that has a strong and water resistant user interface. Users have an integrated Intel-based tablet at their fingertips to plan and coordinate complex missions. There is a single handed joystick that offers a simple flying experience.
The video link is low latency digital and supports payloads with up to 1080p resolution.
The Intel Powerpack batteries are small enough to be able to be shipped by air. The batteries in the drone and cockpit feature storage mode, automatic balancing, and charging. LEDs let the user know how much battery life remains.
Intel is looking to create a drone ecosystem. Computing, sensors, communications and cloud integration are growing areas for Intel.
Source: Intel
