Topcon announces partnership with Ascending Technologies for UAS worldwide distribution

Note:  On January 4, 2016 Ascending Technologies announced that Intel, formerly a minority owner in the technology company, has purchased the remainder of the company.  According to information provided, Intel has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the German drone developer and manufacturer subject to customary closing conditions.  Intel plans for the Ascending Technologies team to continue supporting their current customers like Topcon in the professional UAS space while also collaborating with Intel’s Perceptual Computing team to develop UAV technology that can help drones fly with more awareness of their environments.

LIVERMORE, Calif., USA/ CAPELLE A/D IJSSEL, The Netherlands – August 3, 2015 – Topcon Positioning Group announces a worldwide distribution partnership with Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) provider Ascending Technologies. The agreement gives Topcon exclusivity for the global distribution of the AscTec^®Falcon 8 rotary-wing model, the GeoEXPERT and the InspectionPRO sensing and feature packages.

“We are excited to add the brand new Topcon Falcon 8, powered by Ascending Technologies, to our scope of aerial mapping solutions,” said Eduardo Falcon, executive vice president and general manager for the Topcon GeoPositioning Solutions Group.  “By distributing both core target models on a worldwide level, Topcon can offer more end-users the flexibility and proven advances that these patented rotary-wings systems provide for survey, inspection and monitoring applications.” The Topcon-branded UAS includes the latest AscTec^®Trinity autopilot technology.

Based in Germany, Ascending Technologies is a leading developer and manufacturer of micro UAS for professional, civil and research use. “The AscTec^®Falcon 8 has been in series production since 2009 and still is the first choice UAS of world market leading inspection and surveying service providers,” said Jan Stumpf, one of the four CEOs and co-founder of Ascending Technologies.

“We are proud that our proven and advanced technology can now be easily accessed throughout the world. With the help of Topcon and its reseller network we can provide our high standards of support and customer service everywhere. This partnership gives us the freedom to continue the development of game changing technologies our customers need, while quickly extending our active fleet of reliable UAVs,” said Stumpf.

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, NORAC and 2LS. Topcon Corporation (topcon.com), founded in 1932, is traded on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (7732).

About Ascending Technologies GmbH
Ascending Technologies is a leading developer and manufacturer of autopilot systems, aircraft systems and multi-rotor technology for professional, commercial, civil applications as well as research and development. For this purpose Ascending Technologies achieves pioneer work in sensor data processing and flight attitude control. Due to unique developing capabilities and in-house innovation competence the German company is known for cutting edge solutions and advanced aircraft technology.