Open Standards Integration for Drone Imaging

Auterion has partnered with thermal imaging technology specialist Workswell in order to develop advanced bispectral camera payloads for drones operating in a variety of industries. These solutions will use an open standards software integration, making it easy for drone and components manufacturers to utilize Workswell’s WIRIS Pro and WIRIS Security thermal imaging cameras.

Open ecosystem integrations support component upgrades and mixed portfolios of small, medium and heavy-lift drones carrying a wide variety of specialized payloads or cargo. The drone industry’s next phase of enterprise scaling, accelerated time-to-market and smooth workflow management is being driven by open-source standardization.

The WIRIS Pro and WIRIS Security are dual-sensor cameras, each featuring a full HD resolution visual camera (RGB) and a thermal infrared camera (IR) with optical ultrazoom and a “super resolution” mode, as well as the ability to measure up to 1500 degrees Celsius. These fully radiometric thermal cameras have been specially designed for use with drones. and Auterion’s plug-and-play, open ecosystem integration means operators can see, trigger and download pictures and live video, both visual and thermal, as well as change any camera setting. Operators can also use the Auterion Mission Control ground control software to plan, execute and analyze their automated flights and real-time interventions.

The WIRIS Pro is a next-generation thermal camera built for highly demanding applications, including industrial inspections, archaeology and precision agriculture. The WIRIS Security is designed for life-and-death situations, helping teams search for missing persons, and enhancing building and perimeter surveillance, firefighting operations, field research and wildlife surveys.

Auterion’s expertise in developing complete drone software stacks with open standards for enterprise comes from its unique involvement with Pixhawk and the PX4 autopilot software, which has become the most used open-source flight control system for unmanned aircraft in the world. Auterion’s Skynode, manufactured in the U.S. and marking a next-generation advancement for the Pixhawk standard, supports all different types of airframes, versatile payloads controlled via an SDK, LTE cloud connectivity and advanced onboard computation and apps.

Tomas Faltus, head of export sales at Workswell, commented: “[The global thermal imaging market for the mobility industry] is driving intense innovation. Our partnership with Auterion and participation in the open ecosystem will reduce time-to-market for OEMs trying to get innovations to customers faster. Through one integration with Auterion, all drone and payload manufacturers embracing standardization can leverage Workswell cameras in a plug-and-play manner for their drone solutions.”

Thomas Gubler, head of avionics at Auterion, said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Workswell to integrate their cutting edge thermal imaging systems. Our open ecosystem is bringing together a wide range of companies across disciplines and industries to provide customers with the most comprehensive and flexible solutions on the market. A new payload partner like Workswell gives customers, both drone OEMs and end users, more choices. By integrating with Auterion’s software platform, Workswell systems become immediately compatible and available to multiple drone manufacturers. There’s no need to complete multiple integrations to scale their payloads across multiple platforms.”

“Whether a partner is a software vendor building applications for drones, or a payload or component manufacturer, Auterion’s open source approach lays the groundwork for them to effectively serve their customers, faster and better than with closed approaches.”

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