Draganflyer X8 UAV Helicopter will Be Demonstrated Live at AUVSI 2010 International UAV Tradeshow and Conference

The Draganflyer X8 UAV helicopter will be featured at the 2010 AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) conference. We will be flying the Draganflyer X8 UAV inside a 10×10 foot octagonal cage, inside the conference hall. You can see the Draganflyer X8 UAV in action at our booth (# 2025) from August 24 to 27 2010. We will also be flying the Draganflyer X8 UAV in the aviation demonstration area from 11:00 to 12:00 AM on each demonstration day.

The Draganflyer X8 UAV is larger than our other UAV models, using 8 independently driven rotor blades for thrust and control. Besides giving the Draganflyer X8 more stability in windy conditions and better visibility, the increased size allows for a payload capacity of 1 kilogram (2.2 lbs). This increased payload capacity will allow the Draganfly X8 UAV to carry a selection of high resolution DSLR still cameras for professional photography applications. The Draganflyer X8 UAV will also support low light, FLIR infrared and other specialized cameras for police, government and military applications. The following video shows a computer rendering of the Draganflyer X8 UAV helicopter.

The Draganflyer X8 will be our first UAV to offer true digital video transmission using an IP camera system. The soon to be released IP camera systems transmit video over a wireless 802.11n wifi connection, forming a small local network between the transmitter and receiving station. Digital video and IP cameras support the following features:

• Simultaneous pictures and video – Each IP camera has an internal memory buffer that stores video before it is transmitted. This means that you can take high resolution digital still photos with the IP camera while it is still recording video, allowing you to get exactly the pictures that you need.
• Security and encryption – The IP cameras operate over their own wireless network, which can be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access to the video stream.
• Reduced interference – Digital video is much less susceptible to interference than analog video. Reduced signal strength usually results in a lower frame rate, but not decreased image quality.

IP video cameras will be offered with the Draganflyer X8 and Draganflyer X6 in the near future. We will also have a video conversion kit available, that converts signals from our analog camera selection to digital video and broadcasts it over the 802.11n protocol.

Draganfly Innovations. Inc staff will be present during the entire event, and we will be flying the Draganflyer X8 UAV in the conference hall. Features such as the video base station, wireless telemetry, handheld controller and HUD features will be demonstrated. However, as we will be flying indoors the Draganflyer X8 UAV will not have a GPS signal to use for the GPS hold function.

You can learn more about the Draganflyer X8 UAV helicopter on our website. You can also visit the AUVSI website for scheduling, hotel, transport, and entrance fee information.