Wednesday, October 16, 2024

Parrot unveils the ANAFI USA drone with 32x zoom, 4K HDR video, and thermal camera

Parrot, one of Europe’s leading drone groups, announced the launch of its new professional drone: ANAFI USA. It is a unique drone that combines enterprise-level data security with the user-friendly features that have contributed to consumer acceptance of the drones in recent years.

ANAFI USA is a powerful drone designed to assist first responders, firefighters, search and rescue teams, security agencies, and surveying and inspection experts. With the industry’s first 32x zoom, 4K HDR video, and thermal imaging, ANAFI USA is an ultra-mobile, safe and robust aerial camera platform.

The 32x zoom is designed around two 21-megapixel cameras
The 32x zoom is designed around two 21-megapixel cameras.
Credits: Parrot

Made almost entirely in the United States, ANAFI USA offers the same high-end security, durability, and imaging capabilities as Parrot’s short-range reconnaissance drone (SRR) previously developed for the US Army.

Externally, ANAFI USA is a slightly enlarged version of the Anafi drone. It measures 282 x 373 x 84 millimeters ready to fly, weighs 500 grams, and has a flight time of up to 32 minutes. According to the manufacturer, ANAFI USA drone is operational in less than 55 seconds – unfold the drone, turn it on, establish the secure radio link and take off included. The maximum vertical speed is 6 m/s (21.60 km/h), a top horizontal speed is 14.7 m/s (52.92 km/h). It is quieter than the standard Anafi (79 dB at 50 centimeters above the ground).

It can be useful in the maintenance of transmission and electrical networks.
It can be useful in the maintenance of transmission and electrical networks.
Credits: Parrot

Equipped with a 32x zoom and two 21 megapixel cameras, ANAFI USA allows “operators to see the scene in great detail at a maximum distance of 5 km (3.1 miles)” while maintaining a safe distance from the observed scene. The zoom image is coupled with images from ANAFI USA’s FLIR camera, which enables operators to detect hot spots with the thermal camera, while the visual camera allows them to view people and other important details from up to 2 km (1.2 mi) away.

Photos and videos are encrypted on its SD card, using an AES-XTS algorithm with a 512-bit key length. According to Parrot, once encrypted data can only be read with the associated decryption code so that there is no data leak even if the drone is lost or stolen. There is a WPA2 Wi-Fi connection between ANAFI USA and the transmitter.

Besides, ANAFI USA has passed the IP53 qualification, making it suitable for flights in the rain. It was built for use in the toughest flight conditions and offers weather resistance as well as water and dust resistance. Stabilized imaging from ANAFI USA ensures high-quality images even in wind conditions of 15 m/s.

The drone has been designed to be easily deployable. No previous training is necessary, and the handling of the aircraft is intended to be intuitive. The piloting of the aircraft notably goes through the FreeFlight 6 application developed by Parrot.

From July 27, Anafi USA can be pre-ordered at a price of $7,000; delivery is scheduled to start in September.

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