Intel releases octacopter for industrial applications under its own name

Intel is releasing a drone under its own name for the first time. The Intel Falcon 8+ is based on the AscTec Falcon 8 from the German company Ascending Technologies, which was acquired by Intel at the beginning of this year. The octacopter is intended for industrial applications.

The Falcon 8+ is a V-shaped octacopter of over 80cm long and about 76cm wide. Eight electric motors each deliver a maximum of 125 watts and the rotors have a diameter of approximately 20 cm. The colossus can fly for 16 to 26 minutes to a height of up to 4 km above sea level. In manual mode, the maximum speed is 58 km/h and when the drone flies on the GPS, it is 43 km/h.

According to the product page, the drone uses AscTec Trinity technology, a triple redundant autopilot that continues to operate even if hardware fails. Intel has designed a new cockpit for the Falcon 8+. This control panel consists of two joysticks and a tablet on which the image of a camera can be displayed. The whole is incorporated in a waterproof housing. Intel also says it will supply its own battery with the drone, but does not disclose technical details. Since 2009, AscTec has had the Falcon 8 drone in its range, on which the new model is based.

The US regulator FCC has not yet certified the drone and the specifications can still change, according to Intel. It is not yet known when the Falcon 8+ will be on the market and at what price. Intel wants to offer the drone only in North America.

Intel acquired German drone manufacturer Ascending Technologies in early 2016. The amount paid for that acquisition has not been disclosed. Intel also invested in Chinese drone manufacturer Yuneec last year, and that manufacturer has already introduced a drone that uses an Intel RealSense camera for obstacle avoidance. In April, Intel announced development boards with the same technology, which can be used for DIY drones.