Sponsored by FLIR Systems —
FLIR Systems has been a leading provider of thermal imaging technology to military and sureillance markets for years. But recently they have taken bold and significant steps to avail consumer and commercial markets to the benefits of thermal imaging. This includes the UAS market which can benefit mightily from this functionality in a number of ways.
FLIR (the name is an acronym for Forward Looking Infrared) cameras can detect infrared radiation, typically emitted from a heat source (thermal radiation), to create a “picture.” In the past year they have released several products for the consumer and commercial markets including handheld devices such as the FLIR One Personal Imager and the FLIR Vue Pro.
The FLIR One attaches to your smartphone (versions are available for both Android and iOS) and enables the user to detect heat and measure temperature. Why do that? Because you may want to assess if you have a drafty attic. It could help you find a pet lost in the woods.
Significant for the UAS industry is the FLIR Vue series of cameras. The base model FLIR Vue can be purchased for as little as $1499 for 336 resolution cameras and $2,999 for 640 cameras.
The thermal imaging capabilities of the FLIR Vue can benefit drone operators serving a range of markets and industries.
These include:
- Search and Rescue
- Fire Fighting (see FAQ for details)
- Precision Agriculture
- Roof Inspections
- Power Line Inspections
- Substation Inspections
- Cell Tower Inspections
- Security Surveying
You can plug a GoPro-compatible cable into the 10-pin mini-USB connector to feed the camera a regulated 5VDC power supply and get analog video out to your video transmitter or OSD, and you’re ready to go. The camera is easy to mount. Because of FLIR Vue’s light weight, you have a number of mounting options available to you on any kind of aircraft. Whether you want to hard-mount it or put it on a brushless gimbal, FLIR Vue can do the job.
You can learn more here.
Frank Schroth is editor in chief of DroneLife, the authoritative source for news and analysis on the drone industry: it’s people, products, trends, and events.
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