I received this email today. Also see the attached PDF for more information: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Dear Customer, A new version of the AscTec Falcon 8 is available: The AscTec Falcon 8 2011! We have focussed our design work on one main aspect: Providing you with the most reliable flying platform with the latest camera technology. Hence the “flying camera” becomes a truly innovative and robust tool for your every day work even in harsh conditions. Beside several updates of the basic flight system we now offer further new options. Below you’ll find short summary of all news, and more details in the attached flyer and our updated homepage (www.asctec.de/asctec-falcon-8). NEW OPTIONS With the release of the AscTec Falcon 8 2011 there are also several new options available: · NEW-Digital camera Sony NEX-5 We now offer a digital camera with professional quality for the AscTec Falcon 8 system. When released the Sony NEX-5 received a lot of attention. Sensors that where only available in DSLR cameras are now in a much smaller, lighter body: the Sony NEX-5. In combination with a 16 mm fixed focal length lens, even in poor lighting and twilight conditions you can still obtain high quality images with low noise. With a customized video converter, external power supply and infrared trigger, the camera is perfectly integrated into the system. The camera can be triggered from the Mobile Ground Station. The live preview is also transmitted to and displayed on the Mobile Ground Station. Sample photos from the AscTec Falcon 8 with the Sony NEX-5: http://www.asctec.de/downloads/pics/Sample-pictures_AscTec-Falcon-8.zip (ca. 64 MB) (Order number 10117, 2.699 Euro) · NEW – Camera control joystick It is helpful to operate the camera separately from the system, especially during aerial videography. With the optional hard- and software package, a cameraman can control the camera’s tilt angle, the slow yaw movement of the system (camera pan) and also trigger and zoom of the camera (if applicable). The pilot can always override the controls. With the help of the joystick, the cameraman can easily track moving objects (Order number 10144, 499 Euro). · NEW - Comfort package To facilitate the pilot’s daily work and to make a one-person operation possible in complex situations, there are more options available for the Mobile Ground Station: o Teach in: with only a few selections on the Mobile Ground Station’s status display, you can save the current position, height and orientation of the system. This exact position can be flown to later semi-autonomously. To keep it manageable, the waypoint list only shows current waypoints in a reachable distance. An excellent function e.g. for documenting progress on construction sites. o Panoramic photo: with just a few selections, you can perform 360° panoramic photos in the current position of the system without any further input. o Point of interest (POI): the easiest way to photograph or film objects from all directions is with POI functions. All that is required is to fly above the object, mark it in flight. And the camera and the system will now always orientate itself towards the object. You do not have to control the camera tilt and pan any more. These functions had been exclusively available for customers buying the Waypoint navigation software (order number 10145, 499 Euro). · Updated transport case The interior of the transport case has been redesigned allowing all components to be stored safely and give a more professional appearance to your customers. The rigid precisely precut foam matches the system perfectly. Update of the basic AscTec Falcon 8 system (F8 2011) · Improved precision in height control Due to a revision of the height control algorithms the information regarding height is more precise. This allow you to take photos from exact heights, e.g. when your customer asks for photos from the highest floor of a building, yet to be built. The improved precision of the height controller will make your operation of the system easier and safer than before. New opportunities await. · Improved sensor calibration Not only the height sensor, but also the magnetometer and accelerometers are now calibrated individually. This feature makes your system more dependable in difficult situations. · Coming home The AscTec Falcon 8 2011 supports two different variations of the coming home function: o At the end of a regular mission, you can bring the system back to its start position. o In case of an emergency, the F8 2011 flies back to the start position. Some missions will only be possible with this safety feature. · Enhanced system check on startup · Improved flight stabilization in GPS mode We have improved the transition from GPS-position-hold to GPS controlled flight to be more subtle. Now it is easier to get those stunning in-flight videos. · Higher airspeeds in GPS mode Due to the other improvements the maximum possible airspeed in GPS mode has been increased from 2 m/s to 3 m/s, and the ascent and descent rate to 2 m/s. Giving significant possible gains in operation efficiency. · The electronics will be prepared for all the latest upgrades. We have already received a lot of positive feedback from our test users regarding the upgrades offered to the basic system. Please contact us NOW for product demonstrations. We are very keen to show you the latest innovations regarding our flying camera which enables you to provide your customers with stunning new images and amazing service. We are looking forward to hear from you soon! Yours sincerely Mr. Stefan EICHHORN Leitung Vertrieb und Marketing, Prokurist Head of Sales and Marketing, Authorized Manager Amazing Technology! Ascending Technologies GmbH Konrad-Zuse-Bogen 4 82152 Krailling, Germany Tel: +49 (0)89 - 89 55 60 79-10 Web: http://www.asctec.de Geschäftsführer/CEOs: Dipl.-Ing. Michael Achtelik, Klaus-Michael Doth Dipl.-Ing. Daniel Gurdan, Dipl.-Ing. Jan Stumpf Handelsregister München: HRB 166748 Ust.-ID: DE254728199 / WEEE Reg.Nr. 72657400 PDF File: http://southernoregonrc.com/sorcfiles/AscTec-PHOTO-Flyer-EN-2011-No-05-Info&Prices.pdf
Downloaded both the pdf and zip. Pretty impressive!!! Didn't check to see how the euro converts to dollars right now, but this thing has got to be really expensive. I think it would require a major serious commercial application to afford one. Really cool thing to look at and get ideas from anyway. ...Tiger
That is a cool machine. It looks like the controller alone costs more than some other complete quads though.
