Quantum Options, a UK-based imaging expertise firm, has expanded its lineup of quantum-dot shortwave infrared (SWIR) drone payloads designed to seize knowledge past the seen spectrum. The corporate’s Q.Fly household now contains a number of mission-specific configurations—together with the Q.Fly Water system for real-time moisture mapping—every constructed round proprietary quantum-dot sensors that stretch imaging into the 400–1,700 nm vary.
SWIR imaging permits drones to detect phenomena invisible to plain RGB cameras, together with moisture content material, materials composition, and thermal signatures obscured by haze or smoke. Quantum Options’ quantum-dot expertise delivers these capabilities in light-weight, DJI-compatible payloads that combine instantly with Matrice 300 and Matrice 350 RTK platforms, streaming dwell video to the DJI controller with out extra floor gear.
The Q.Fly Water payload, launched at SPIE Future Sensing Applied sciences in Yokohama, Japan, captures each near-infrared and SWIR knowledge concurrently to compute a Normalized Distinction Moisture Index (NDMI) onboard the drone. The system streams dwell, color-coded moisture maps on to the flight controller, delivering spatial decision as much as 400 instances finer than satellite-based strategies. Weighing roughly 600 grams, the payload allows centimeter-level moisture mapping for functions together with precision agriculture, turf administration, wetland monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and archaeology.
“Q.Fly Water combines tuned quantum-dot SWIR sensors with onboard NDMI computation to ship a dwell moisture view with centimetre precision,” mentioned Alexander Bessonov, VP of Merchandise, Imaging Programs at Quantum Options. “It means selections can now be made in actual time, proper from the controller display screen.”
The broader Q.Fly platform helps a number of configurations, together with photo voltaic panel inspection by way of electroluminescence imaging and general-purpose SWIR exploration. All payloads share a typical structure: a 640 × 512 pixel quantum-dot sensor, built-in RGB digicam, non-obligatory thermal imaging, and a 3-axis gyrostabilized gimbal. The system operates at as much as 220 Hz for high-speed spectral seize and helps flight instances of as much as 35 minutes per battery cycle.
“Advances in quantum dot SWIR imaging expertise, aerial robotics and on-edge computing are permitting us to disclose data that was beforehand invisible,” mentioned Marat Lutfullin, CEO of Quantum Options. “Our mission is to make that hidden knowledge accessible and sensible, turning high-performance imaging into an on a regular basis software for these managing crucial infrastructure.”
Extra data is obtainable from their web site.
About Quantum Options
Quantum Options is a UK-based imaging expertise firm pioneering quantum-dot shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging methods that stretch imaginative and prescient past the seen spectrum. Via full vertical integration from quantum-dot supplies to finish UAV payloads and knowledge analytic platforms, the corporate makes superior spectral imaging sensible and accessible. Its Q.Fly household of drone-based sensing methods delivers new insights throughout power, setting, and industrial inspection. With headquarters in Oxford and engineering in Cambridge, Quantum Options is making the invisible seen.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist specializing in drone expertise and way of life content material at Dronelife. He’s primarily based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys mountain climbing and Boston space sports activities.