Intel announces Falcon 8+ drone with a top speed of 35 mph (and an awesome controller)

[Shawn Knight]

Intel continues its assault on the unmanned aerial drone industry this week with the introduction of the Falcon 8+ for North American markets.

The Falcon 8+ (not to be confused with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket) builds on the success of the AscTech Falcon 8 already in commission in the European market. The chipmaker, if you recall, purchased Ascending Technologies early this year for an undisclosed sum.

Rather than going after the hot consumer market, Intel’s new drone is built specifically for commercial-grade applications. Josh Walden, a senior vice president and general manager of Intel’s New Technology Group, says the Falcon 8+ is setting a new standard for commercial-grade drones with full electronic system redundancy (think batteries, sensors, communications hardware and more).

Operators will control the Falcon 8+ using the Intel Cockpit, a redesigned mobile ground station that’s sturdy enough to use even in harsh outdoor environments. As you can see by the photo above, this is a seriously detailed bit of kit that should allow operators to pilot the drone with a high degree of precision.

With a top speed of around 35 miles per hour, it’ll also be able to outrun most consumer-facing, hobby drones.

Intel hasn’t yet said how much the bundle will sell for although given its looks and that awesome controller, I imagine it won’t be cheap.

Permalink to story.

https://www.techspot.com/news/66654-intel-announces-falcon-8-drone-top-speed-35.html

 

[Kenrick]

Oh please Santa, give me one.

 

[AkiriAli]

I want this.

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

It'll probably be cheaper to own your own private Apache chopper.

 

[Uncle Al]

It would have been helpful to hear a few spec's on the bird, but assuming they have taken that into account, I am going to hazard a guess that it will be in the $5,000 - $15,000 range depending upon configuration. Give it the capability to directly stream video footage and every news making organization out there is going to demand one or more. Make it capable of staying aloft under full power and capability for 60 minutes or more and they simply won't be able to build them fast enough and at such a price, the military will be all over them for company & battalion size intelligence and every service out there that does any form of damage assessment, etc. is going to be throwing wads of cash at it too! Put a couple of seats on it and I'm going to be ready to trade in the old Honda !!!!

 

[andrewdoyle88]

It'll probably be cheaper to own your own private Apache chopper.

Read that as 'Apple chopper' still probably the same price.

 

[ManuelV]

If only it could run street fighter.

 

[cuerdc]

Why can't Intel follow steams lead and add support for ps4 controller