Saskatoon, Saskatchewan (PRWEB) Draganfly Innovations Inc. is announcing the release of the new Draganflyer X8 helicopter, a miniature UAV for commercial/industrial aerial video and photography. The unique design utilizes eight main horizontal rotor blades and allows the Draganflyer X8 helicopter to hover efficiently and maneuver rapidly using differential thrust. Eight industrial electric motors allow the Draganflyer X8 to carry heavier and more advanced payloads while providing more safety features than ever before. The Draganflyer X8 will also be compatible with our latest technologies, including the handheld Ground Control Station (GCS) and IP video camera systems.

Draganflyer X8

The increased payload capability of the Draganflyer X8 has allowed it to carry a select variety of digital SLR cameras and various 1080p video cameras. The Draganflyer X8’s industrial-strength electric motors provide increased thrust over the Draganflyer X6, which allows the Draganflyer X8 to carry an increased payload.

Innovative new camera systems will be offered as options for the Draganflyer X8 UAV, including the new IP video cameras. IP video cameras work by transmitting digital video over an 802.11n wifi connection. Digital video is less susceptible to random noise than analog video. Digital video is also more secure because IP cameras work over their own wireless network, which can be encrypted to protect the video stream from unauthorized viewing. Because the IP cameras are digital, they can record video to a buffer in internal memory before streaming it to the receiving station. This means that the cameras can be used to capture high resolution still pictures while video is being recorded. Video from the IP cameras can be streamed over the internet easily, allowing you to transmit your video live to almost anywhere in the world.

The Draganflyer X8 UAV will be our first UAV helicopter to offer the new handheld Ground Control Station (GCS) as an option. The GCS is currently in development; when complete, it will effectively contain all the features of both the handheld controller and the video base station in one handheld package. Running a Linux operating system on an Intel Atom™ processor allows the GCS to run our existing DraganView software and provide helicopter control at the same time.

Safety and durability have been incorporated into the design of each Draganflyer helicopter and the Draganflyer X8 is no exception. It offers more safety features than ever before. Even if an in-flight collision causes one of the motors to stop working, the Draganflyer X8 helicopter, with dual motors on each of the four arms, will still be able to fly using the remaining seven motors. Other safety features include high intensity LED navigation lights for distance or low-light flying and auto-landing if the radio link between the helicopter and its controller is lost. An onboard flight recorder stores telemetry and flight data in a removable memory card. This information can be used for post-flight analysis with our DraganView software.

The Draganflyer X8 UAV helicopter has been designed with a unique folding carbon fiber frame. This allows the Draganflyer X8 to become conveniently compact for storage and transportation. Once the Draganflyer X8 carbon fiber frame is folded, it fits securely in its back-packable case.

The Draganflyer X8 is a fully functional, miniature, unmanned, electric powered helicopter. Aimed at industrial and commercial use, it provides reconnaissance and inspection information using onboard wireless video (equipped with digital video recorders) and still images. The Draganflyer X8 helicopter achieves its stability by using an onboard processor running custom-designed Draganfly software and receiving data from eleven onboard sensors (three gyros, three accelerometers, three magnetometers, one barometric pressure sensor, and one GPS receiver). It is easily piloted by users with minimal training. The Draganflyer X8 helicopter determines its own orientation and motion, moving where the operator instructs it, automatically handling the complex attitude and altitude adjustments that would normally require an experienced pilot.

The Draganflyer X8 helicopter can be put into GPS hold mode where it will maintain its position without any user input. This means that once the GPS hold is activated, the pilot can concentrate on framing the shot using one of the various cameras that the Draganflyer X8 can carry.

The Draganflyer X8 helicopter is flown using a custom-designed handheld controller with a 2.8” color OLED touchscreen that displays telemetry and flight data. The Draganflyer X8 handheld controller receives streaming video sent by the helicopter and in turn, sends this video to a pair of video goggles. The video goggles enable the operator to view what the helicopter is seeing in real-time while also keeping an eye on the helicopter itself.

On Tuesday August 24 2010 Draganfly Innovations unveiled the all new Draganflyer X8 at the annual AUVSI conference in Denver Colorado. Draganfly Innovations is demonstrating the Draganflyer X8 at their booth inside a 10×10 foot octagonal cage and also in the aviation demonstration area at the AUVSI trade show.

You can find Draganfly Innovations at booth number 2025 and flying in the aviation demonstration area each demonstration day from 11:00 to 12:00 am.

Along with the Draganflyer X8, Draganfly Innovations also unveiled the new hand held ground control station (GCS). The optional hand held GCS combines all the features of the Draganflyer controller and the Video base station into one ergonomically designed package.

The innovative hand held GCS is capable of displaying real time video from the helicopter on its 6.3 inch daylight viewable bright LCD screen. The displayed video can also be recorded with the use of the hand held GCS built in digital video recorder. Running a linux operating system on an Intel Atom Z530 CPU makes this new hand held GCS capable of running Draganview software right on the controller. All the features of the video base station and the controller right in the palm of your hands.

The new optional Handheld GCS (Ground Control Station) coming 2011 provides all the features of both the Handheld Controller and the Video Base Station in one compact and ergonomic package.

The Handheld GCS supports networking over the 802.11n wireless protocol, which allows it to connect directly to Draganflyer IP video cameras. Whether you are using the IP camera system, or a conventional analog camera, video is streamed live to the Handheld GCS and displayed on the built in 6.3” daylight viewable bright LCD screen. Video can also be recorded using the onboard DVR.

The Handheld GCS runs a Linux operating system on an Intel Atom Z530 CPU clocked to 1.6GHz. This processor gives the Handheld GCS the computing power to run a custom version of our DraganView telemetry software and a separate processor is included to control the helicopter simultaneously. The Handheld GCS features 1 gigabyte of ram and a 32 gigabyte solid state memory to store pictures and video.

Using both the Handheld Controller and Video Base Station functions at the same time has never been simpler with the Draganfly Handheld GCS.

Draganfly Innovations Inc. has recently launched several IP video camera systems for Draganflyer UAV RC helicopters.

Because the IP cameras use a digital protocol, they can buffer (temporarily store) video in their internal memory before it is streamed to the base station. This allows the cameras to take both uninterrupted video and still pictures at the same time. Using this feature is intuitive and simple: fly the Draganflyer X6 or Draganflyer X8 UAV over the location you need pictures and video of, and take as many still pictures as needed while the video is still recording. The ability to take simultaneous pictures and video makes the Draganfly IP camera systems perfect for police and law enforcement needing both pictures and video for evidence, because the video stream can be used to aim the camera and be recorded at the same time.

Digital video has a much higher signal to noise ratio than analog video because it is more resistant to random noise and interference. This means that you get a higher quality video stream than is possible with any analog camera sent live to your computer running the DraganView software. If you are flying the helicopter at maximum range, the image quality received will still remain constant (although the framerate may decrease). This is because the IP cameras transmit individual frames over a digital protocol.

The IP video cameras operate over the 802.11n wireless protocol, so the connection between the camera access point and the wireless receiving station can be encrypted. This prefents unauthorized access to the video stream if your project is security critical, such as gathering evidence for law enforcement or military surveillance.

Using the Draganfly wireless IP camera video systems you can rebroadcast video to almost anywhere in the world over the internet. If you have a 3-G enabled cellphone or cellular modem that supports tethering, you can even broadcast to the internet from remote locations. This is perfect for applications that require real time video to be streamed from a remote operation back to a central location. Pictures and live video can be transmitted live over huge distances using this method, even across continents. Network response times typically create a delay in the video stream of less than one second.

Besides offering two color IP video cameras, customers can also use conventional analog cameras with the Draganfly analog to digital converter. The analog to digital converter works by taking the output from an analog camera (such as the FLIR infrared or low light models) and converting the signal to a digital one, streamed over the 802.11n protocol. The analog to digital converter gives you all the benefits of IP cameras with your analog camera, except for taking simultaneous pictures and video (because analog cameras lack a memory buffer).

IP video cameras and the analog to digital converter will be available for both the Draganflyer X6 and Draganflyer X8 UAV helicopters. Do you want to learn more about the IP camera systems? We have technical information on our website.

The Draganflyer X8 UAV helicopter will be featured at the 2010 AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) conference.

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.

You can learn more about the Draganflyer UAV helicopters on our website. You can also read the defensetech.org news article.

The AUVSI (Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International) was formed in 1972 when the use of unmanned target drones in the Vietnam War prompted the creation of the National Association of Remotely Piloted Vehicles (NARPV). NARPV eventually grew as the industry expanded, leading to the creation of the modern AUVSI organization. The AUVSI is dedicated to promoting the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) through education, communication, and leadership. This year’s AUVSI conference is expecting record attendance in excess of 5000 visitors from over 30 different countries. There will also be more than 100 international speakers giving presentations on the UAV industry and latest developments. This years tradeshow will feature live demonstrations from a wide variety of exhibits. Draganfly Innovations Inc. was the first company to demonstrate live at the AUVSI at the 2009 conference, blazing the trail for other live demonstrations in the following years.

Draganfly Innovations Inc. staff will be flying all of our UAV helicopters indoors, and we will demonstrate our UAV helicopters features including aerial photography, aerial videography, and the computer controlled base station with wireless telemetry and an HUD display. Because we will be flying indoors we will not be able to demonstrate the GPS hold feature. The following AUVSI promotional video shows some of the technology that will be present at this years conference.

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

• Apache Longbow, an attack helicopter used by the military
• Blackhawk, one of the most sophisticated manned helicopters in the world
• Coast Guard helicopters which fly over water on rescue missions
• Popular Robinson made helicopters used by the police and civil aviation
• Draganflyer X6 and Grumman MQ8 Firescout UAVs

The episode talks about how the Draganflyer UAV RC helicopters use a new and innovative computerized flight control system; which flys the helicopter by adjusting each electric motors speed individually. The simplicity and reliability of this design has applications in future helicopter designs, and also makes the Draganflyer X6 UAV perfect for aerial reconnaissance and photography. The Draganflyer X6 UAV helicopter’s advanced flight computer is also explained, and the auto-land and GPS features are demonstrated.

You can watch the episode on the History Channel, or purchase the entire season from Amazon.com. More information about the Draganflyer X4, Draganflyer X6, and Draganflyer X8 electric RC helicopters is available on our website.