Intel Offers New Drone for Use of Software Developers

Intel Offers New Drone for Use of Software Developers

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Intel unveiled a new ready-to-fly drone, Aero, a quadcopter aimed at software developers rather than casual hobbyists or commercial drone operators.

Intel’s drone is a fully assembled unit that runs on Intel’s Aero Compute Board with a Linux operating system, RealSense for vision and comes with AirMap’s software development kit pre-loaded, to help users fly only where it’s safe and legal to do so.

Other chip makers have been vying to gain market share in the burgeoning, if not yet clearly regulated, domestic and international drones market. But they’ve done so by selling their microprocessors to other hardware manufacturers, including companies that make UAVs or cameras and other systems that are integrated into them to enhance functionality, usually around filming and aerial data capture.

According to Techcrunch, Intel is also an equity investor in drone tech startups, including: Yuneec, which makes drones that automatically avoid obstacles even in tight spaces; Airware, developers of an operating system for commercial drones; and PrecisionHawk, makers of a fixed-wing drone and software for agricultural and other commercial drones. AirMap’s air space management system covering the lower air space where drones fly, relays that real-time information to drone operators, manufacturers and app developers about air space conditions. AirMap also makes data accessible in real time to other stakeholders like airports and regulators who need to know how and where drones are operating.

The Aero Ready-to-Fly drone will be available to purchase by the end of this year.