Topcon announces distribution of the new Intel® Falcon 8+ System for North American markets

LIVERMORE, Calif., USA/ CAPELLE A/D IJSSEL, The Netherlands – November 1, 2016 – Topcon Positioning Group announces the new Intel Falcon 8+ System, a patented V-shaped eight-rotor unmanned aerial system (UAS) for the United States and Canada markets that will be distributed by Topcon.

Building on the success of the initial Topcon Falcon 8 System, the new generation Intel Falcon 8+ System is an advanced UAV featuring the triple redundant AscTec Trinity autopilot and has full electronic system redundancy. It also includes the Intel® Cockpit™ ground control and the Intel® Powerpack™ smart battery system.

“Intel is excited to announce the Intel Falcon 8+ System for the North American markets. This commercial application focused system is designed with performance, precision and safety in mind,” said Anil Nanduri, vice president and general and manager for the UAV Group at Intel. “This system highlights our continued advancements in the UAV industry. We are extremely pleased that Topcon, a key collaborator with one of the world’s largest UAS reseller and support networks, will bring this to the North American markets.”

“The Intel Falcon 8+ System expands on the success of our rotary-wing UAS offering,” said Eduardo Falcon, executive vice president and general manager for the Topcon GeoPositioning Solutions Group. “It offers the best performance and weight-to-payload ratio in the entire market, as well as the highest stability in harsh conditions, easily exchangeable and deeply integrated payloads, best-in-class safety and high-precision GNSS.”

The Intel Cockpit ground control is a water resistant station — built for operators to plan and execute highly complex missions with ease with the integration of the complete single hand flight control joystick. In addition, the Intel Cockpit ground control features an Intel® based tablet and also supports low latency digital video links — allowing for up to 1080p resolution for the best possible live view.

The Intel Falcon 8+ System is powered by a dual battery system comprised of Intel Powerpack smart batteries, bringing redundancy even to the power supply. These batteries feature automatic balancing, storage mode, charging and LEDs that display remaining battery life and are designed to meet airline shipping requirements.

Falcon said, “We are excited to provide Topcon customers with the opportunities to generate this level of aerial precision data for inspection and monitoring, as well as survey and mapping applications. The Falcon 8+ System represents a new standard for commercial-grade UAS, providing imagery with millimeter accuracy detail, and structural analysis important to infrastructure assessments.”

For more information, visit topconpositioning.com.

About Topcon Positioning Group
Topcon Positioning Group is headquartered in Livermore, California, USA (topconpositioning.com). Its European head office is in Capelle a/d IJssel, the Netherlands (topconpositioning.eu). Topcon Positioning Group designs, manufactures and distributes precise positioning products and solutions for the global surveying, construction, agriculture, civil engineering, BIM, mapping and GIS, asset management and mobile control markets.  Its brands include Topcon, Sokkia, Tierra, Wachendorff Elektronik, Digi-Star, RDS Technology, NORAC and 2LS. Topcon Corporation (topcon.com), founded in 1932, is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (7732). 

The Intel Falcon 8+ System and Topcon Falcon 8 System has not been authorized as required by the rules of the Federal Communications Commission. This device is not, and may not be, offered for sale or lease, or sold or leased, until authorization is obtained. Safety Certification, CE assessment and other country approvals not yet completed.