Thermal imaging products company FLIR Systems has announced what it claims is the industry’s first thermal and visible sensor module for drone, robotic, and imaging manufacturers.
The FLIR Hadron dual sensor module for drone, robotic, and imaging original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) is designed to help reduce development costs and improve time to market. Offered in a lightweight (42.8 g), low-power, and 24 x 45 x 36-mm form factor, the device includes a 12-megapixel visible camera paired with the company’s Boson 320 x 240-resolution thermal camera with up to a 60-Hz frame rate.
“With the introduction of Hadron, FLIR Systems is leading the way in offering low-cost, dual sensor integration across a variety of industries from commercial drones to industrial imaging systems,” says Paul Clayton, General Manager, Components Business at FLIR. “Although our unmanned aerial system (UAS) customers are first to market with Hadron, this product empowers all of our OEM customers to increase performance with out-of-the-box functionality and simplified integration.”
In developing the Hadron, the company says it worked closely with drone manufacturers Vantage Robotics and Teal Drones to perfect the module for use on lightweight drone airframes. Vantage Robotics integrated the module into its micro-gimbal platform featuring its proprietary stabilization technology, offering a dual-sensor, OEM solution for existing UAS airframes and potentially other robotic platforms.
Tobin Fisher, CEO at Vantage Robotics says,
“Hadron is far and away the lightest and smallest combined visible-thermal sensor that has ever been commercially available. For an aircraft where you’re trying to push the limit on flight performance, every gram matters. The ability to get these sensor capabilities in a package this small makes an enormous difference.”
Teal has also integrated Hadron within its 2-lb (1 kilogram) Golden Eagle UAS platform, taking advantage of the module’s compact size to create a lightweight yet dynamic payload that helps preserve battery life and maximize flight time on a small airframe.
Teal Drones CEO and founder, George Matus says,
“Hadron enables us to speed development and time to market for small airframes with thermal and visual sensors. It’s high quality, low weight, and compact size allows for rapid integration to quickly develop prototypes.”
The Hadron is available now.
more information: www.flir.com