Engineering:Intel Falcon 8
| Falcon 8 | |
|---|---|
 AscTec Falcon 8 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Camera drone |
| National origin | Germany/United States |
| Manufacturer | Ascending Technologies (later Intel) |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 2009–present |
| Introduction date | 2009 |
The AscTec (later Intel) Falcon 8 is a series of octocopter camera drones originally released by the German company Ascending Technologies (AscTec) in 2009. Intel continued to produce the Falcon 8 after acquiring Ascending Technologies in 2016.
Design and development
Serial production of the Falcon 8 began in 2009.[1] The Falcon 8 is an octocopter intended for aerial photography, with its eight motors being arranged on a V-shaped frame to keep them out of the camera's view.[2] The drone has a stabilized gimbal which is compatible with cameras from several manufacturers, including Sony (α7R, α6000, HDR-PJ810E, and NEX-5N), Sigma (DP1 Merrill), and Panasonic (Lumix DMC-TZ71), as well as a FLIR Tau 640 thermal camera.[2][3] The Falcon 8 is capable of carrying a 0.75 kg (1.7 lb) payload has a maximum flight time of 20 minutes with a standard payload.[2] By January 2016, the Falcon 8 was capable of using the AscTec Trinity autopilot system with a triple-redundant inertial measurement unit.[1] That same month, Ascending Technologies was acquired by Intel.[4] That July, Intel demonstrated a modified Falcon 8 with RealSense cameras at the Farnborough International Airshow, during which it performed a visual inspection of an Airbus airliner.[5]
In October 2016, Intel released an updated version as the Falcon 8+ for the North American market.[4][6][7] The Falcon 8+ has a payload capacity of 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) and is controlled with a weatherproof Intel Cockpit controller.[4][8] Among the payloads compatible with the Falcon 8+'s three-axis gimbal include a Sony α7R camera with a Sonnar T* FE 35mm f/2.8 ZA lens. Power is provided by two Powerpack 4000 batteries, giving the drone a maximum flight time of 26 minutes with no payload or 16 minutes with a maximum payload.[9][10]
Variants
- Falcon 8
- Original variant with a payload capacity of 0.75 kg (1.7 lb). Later versions have an AscTec Trinity autopilot system with a triple-redundant IMU. Powered by a 6250 mAh Powerpack 6250 battery, giving it a flight time of 20 minutes with a standard payload. Released in 2009.[1][2][3]
- Falcon 8+
- Improved variant with a payload capacity of 0.8 kg (1.8 lb) and powered by two Powerpack 4000 batteries, giving it a maximum flight time of 26 minutes with no payload or 16 minutes with a maximum payload.[10] Released in October 2016.[4]
Specifications (Falcon 8+)
Data from Intel Falcon 8+ UAS User Manual[10]
General characteristics
- Capacity: 1.76 lb (0.8 kg) payload
- Length: 2 ft 6.2 in (0.768 m)
- Width: 2,680 ft 5 in (817 m)
- Height: 524 ft 11 in (160 m)
- Empty weight: 2.65 lb (1.2 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 6.17 lb (2.8 kg)
- Battery: 2× Intel Powerpack 4000
- Powerplant: 8 × 125W brushless DC electric motor
- Propellers: 2-bladed, 8.0 in (0.2032 m) diameter
Performance
- Maximum speed: 40 mph (64.8 km/h, 35 kn)
- Range: 0.62 mi (1.0 km, 0.54 nmi)
- Endurance: 26 minutes (no payload), 16 minutes (max payload)
- Service ceiling: 13,123 ft (4,000 m) above sea level
- Rate of climb: 1,936 ft/min (10 m/s)
- Maximum wind resistance: 35.8 miles per hour (57.6 km/h)
- Operating temperature: 23°F (-5°C) to 113°F (45°C)
Avionics
See also
Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era
Related lists
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Bringing a New Level of Intelligence to UAVs" (in en). https://www.gim-international.com/content/article/bringing-a-new-level-of-intelligence-to-uavs.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Unmanned Octocopter System for aerial imaging: aerial photography, aerial videography, industrial inspection, remote sensing www.asctec.de". Ascending Technologies GmbH. http://www.asctec.de/uav-applications/aerial-imaging/octocopter/asctec-falcon-8/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 AscTec Professional Line. Ascending Technologies. 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150926184655/http://www.asctec.de/downloads/public/AscTec-Professional-Line_Catalogue.pdf.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Vincent, James (2016-10-12). "Behold, the first drone with Intel outside" (in en-US). https://www.theverge.com/2016/10/12/13254670/intel-commercial-drone-falcon-8.
- ↑ "Intel: Taking the Lead in Commercial Drones" (in en). https://www.commercialuavnews.com/infrastructure/intel-taking-lead-commercial-drones.
- ↑ Schroth, Frank (2016-10-12). "Intel Enters Enterprise Drone Market with the Falcon 8+" (in en-US). https://dronelife.com/2016/10/12/intel-enters-enterprise-drone-market-falcon-8/.
- ↑ Mlot, Stephanie (2016-10-12). "Intel's First Branded Commercial Drone Is Ready to Fly" (in en). https://www.pcmag.com/news/intels-first-branded-commercial-drone-is-ready-to-fly?test_uuid=04IpBmWGZleS0I0J3epvMrC&test_variant=A.
- ↑ Mack, Eric (2016-10-13). "Intel unveils its own commercial drone, the Falcon 8+" (in en-US). https://newatlas.com/intel-branded-drone-falcon-8-asctec/45864/.
- ↑ Parakala, Akshara (2022). Janes All the World's Aircraft: Unmanned 2022–2023. Janes Information Services. pp. 325. ISBN 9780710633989.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Intel Falcon 8+ UAS User Manual (Version 2.3). Intel. May 2018. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/lit_files/608698.pdf.
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