FLIR calibrated thermal camera module for commercial UAS provides remote temperature measurements

AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2016, NEW ORLEANS, 3 May 2016. FLIR Systems Inc.’s (NASDAQ:FLIR) new FLIR Vue Pro R thermal imaging camera module adds radiometric functionality to the company’s Vue Pro camera for commercial unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones. The new module provides UAS operators the ability to save images for post-flight analysis and accurately measure the temperatures of individual image pixels.

The Vue Pro R records digital thermal video, along with radiometric thermal still images, to an on-board micro-SD card. For applications such as electrical inspection, infrastructure assessment, and precision mapping, this on-board recording allows operators to capture high-quality thermal data for postprocessing and analysis.

“Without a doubt, radiometry is the most popular feature drone operators have requested, and we’re delivering that with Vue Pro R,” explains Jeff Frank, FLIR’s senior vice president for product strategy. “FLIR has pioneered thermographic cameras for more than 50 years and our expansion of high-performance capabilities like radiometry to drone operators is another example of our ability to provide state-of-the-art thermal technology to people that need it.”

The Vue Pro R retains all the capabilities in the standard Vue Pro model but adds calibrated radiometric imaging that allows it to capture the temperature data of every pixel in an image. When saved in Radiometric JPEG format, still images can be imported into FLIR Tools software for detailed analysis and reporting.

FLIR Tools, a free download on FLIR.com, enables UAS operators to adjust settings, including object emissivity, background temperature, target distance, relative humidity, and thermal sensitivity, as well as to assign various color palettes for each image.

An updated mobile app with advanced radiometric functions uses the camera’s Bluetooth interface to connect to iOS and Android devices, making camera set-up and configuration easy. Through the app, operators can configure functions to ensure the best imagery possible for their conditions without having to connect the camera to a computer.

The Vue Pro R will be available to purchase in May 2016 through FLIR’s global network of dealers. The FLIR Vue Pro R starts at $2,999.

FLIR Systems Inc. is a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of sensor systems that enhance perception and awareness. FLIR's advanced systems and components are used for a wide variety of thermal imaging, situational awareness, and security applications, including airborne and ground-based surveillance, condition monitoring, navigation, recreation, research and development, manufacturing process control, search and rescue, drug interdiction, transportation safety, border and maritime patrol, environmental monitoring, and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) threat detection.