Qualcomm unveils board for drone and robitc use

Wireless technology developer Qualcomm Incorporated have announced the launch of their Qualcomm Snapdragon Flight platform.

Based on the Snapdragon 801 processor, the highly optimised 58x40mm board boasts strong connectivity, coupled with advanced drone software and development tools.

Raj Talluri, senior vice president, product management, Qualcomm Technologies, shared: “Today, drones are made from multiple component vendors providing separate solutions for photography, navigation and communications, adding to the cost and bulk of consumer drones."

"The QualcommSnapdragon Flight brings together the technologies that have defined the mobile industry onto a single board, enabling OEMs to build drones that are lighter, smaller, easy to use and affordable with long battery life and superior functionalities,” he added.

Intended for use with consumer drones and robotic application, the platform comes equipped with real-time control on hexagon DSP, 4K video and image capture, as well as built-in wi-fi and Bluetooth connectivity. It can also interface with a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) enabling highly accurate location positioning.

"Drones are enabling a broad range of applications such as aerial photography, the ultimate selfie accessory and sports filming, so the ability to shoot in 4K is a must-have feature," continued Talluri.

"Qualcomm Technologies is already a leader in bringing 4K video capture to consumers having over 500 device designs powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors with 4K UltraHD video capability, allied with the highly integrated SoC, so it's natural for us to support the same technologies in the consumer drone space,” he concluded.