FLIR Systems has introduced the industry’s first dual sensor module for drone, robotic, and imaging original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), FLIR Hadron. 

Described as lightweight and low power, the compact form factor includes a 12-megapixel visible camera paired with the FLIR Boson 320x240 resolution thermal camera with up to a 60-hertz framerate. FLIR says that FLIR Hadron is designed to help reduce development costs and improve time-to-market.

“With the introduction of Hadron, FLIR Systems is leading the way in offering low-cost, dual sensor integration across a variety of industries from commercial drones to industrial imaging systems,” says Paul Clayton, general manager, Components Business at FLIR.

“Although our unmanned aerial system (UAS) customers are first to market with Hadron, this product empowers all of our OEM customers to increase performance with out-of-the-box functionality and simplified integration.”

FLIR worked closely with drone manufacturers Vantage Robotics and Teal Drones during the development process of Hadron to perfect the module for use on lightweight drone airframes.

Vantage Robotics equipped its micro-gimbal platform featuring its proprietary stabilization technology with Hadron, which allowed it offer a dual-sensor, OEM solution for existing UAS airframes and potentially other robotic platforms.

“Hadron is far and away the lightest and smallest combined visible-thermal sensor that has ever been commercially available,” says Tobin Fisher, CEO at Vantage Robotics.

“For an aircraft where you’re trying to push the limit on flight performance, every gram matters. The ability to get these sensor capabilities in a package this small makes an enormous difference.”

Teal has also equipped its two-pound Golden Eagle UAS platform with Hadron. This integration helps preserve battery life and maximize flight time on a small airframe by taking advantage of the module’s compact size to create a “lightweight yet dynamic” payload.

“Hadron enables us to speed development and time-to- market for small airframes with thermal and visual sensors,” says Teal Drones CEO and founder, George Matus. “It’s high quality, low weight, and compact size allows for rapid integration to quickly develop prototypes.”