State Farm and AIG Are Testing These 7 Drones
June 15, 2015 11:05 AM
Insurers including State Farm and AIG are among the very first companies to receive clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration to use drones for commercial purposes. The drones come in a variety of sizes and types, each suited to different purposes and conditions.
senseFly eBee
AIG is testing this one-and-a-half-pound, 38-inch vehicle, which is designed to capture high-resolution aerial photos. The images then can be turned into 2-D orthomosaics (a series of photos that are matched up to form a composite image) and 3-D models, according to manufacturer senseFly.
Altavian Nova F6500
The Nova F6500, which is being tested by State Farm, is an electric fixed-wing drone with a wingspan of 108 inches and a maximum-operating weight of less than 20 pounds. It offers 3-D mapping and real-time thermal infrared and high-definition video capabilities, according to the manufacturer.
Hawkeye Lancaster MK-III
Also on AIG's radar: The Hawkeye Lancaster MK-III, which features a 600-Mhz CPU that runs on Linux and sports a proprietary artificial intelligence that detects weather conditions in the air and creates its own optimal flight path while in flight, manufacturer PrecisionHawk says.
Aerialtronics Altura Zenith ATX8
State Farm is testing this craft, which offers auto take-off and landing; auto go home and landing; GPS waypoint navigation; direction lock; camera point of interest and GIS mapping. Its flight time is 45 minutes.
Phantom 2 Vision
This "flying camera" is on AIG's radar. It is equipped with a 14-megapixel camera with a resolution of 4384×3288 and supports most iOS and several Android devices, including Samsung Galaxy S3 and S4, manufacturer DJI says. It uses flight radar to display its current position to the pilot, and will automatically return to its takeoff point if it exceeds its control range.
DJI S1000
Principia Underwriting, a Lloyds insurer, is testing this professional grade octocopter designed for professional aerial photography. It features retractable landing gear, which are made from carbon fiber.
IRIS+
AIG is looking at this "flying robot," which will automatically fly itself where it is instructed while keeping a camera steady with two-axis gimbal stabilization, according to manufacturer 3D Robotics.