This week, senseFly has introduced eXom, the next-generation rotary drone that offers professional users unprecedented situational awareness.

In addition to seeing what its TripleView camera head sees, eXom’s five vision sensors also enable you to see in the direction the drone is moving – like the visual parking displays in modern high-end cars – for enhanced awareness and safe operation. These sensors work in harmony with eXom’s five ultrasonic sensors to ensure you always know the drone’s distance from nearby objects. Plus, eXom includes the extra security of automated proximity warnings, and shock-absorbent carbon fibre shrouding protects eXom’s rotors in case of surface contact.

In another first for a civil drone system, the eXom’s autopilot-controlled TripleView head allows you to view and record any type of imagery required – HD video, ultra-high-resolution stills, thermal data, or all of the above. All without needing to land in order to swap cameras. Since its head faces the front, eXom can fly up close to target structures for sub-millimetre data resolution. The head’s 270° vertical field of view also means eXom can document objects directly above it; crucial for challenging tasks such as inspecting underside of a bridge.

eXom’s unparalleled level of sensory intelligence means it is easily controlled, even in the most demanding situations (e.g. approaching a high target positioned hundreds of metres away), without the need for a remote control or piloting skills. Simply choose your flight mode:

• Interactive ScreenFly mode – click or tap the on-screen video feed to define an object of interest. eXom’s intelligent autopilot moves the drone into position and directs its TripleView head automatically.
• Autonomous mode – define the area to map using the drone’s eMotion software. The software automatically generates the drone’s flight plan, then eXom takes off, flies, acquires imagery and lands itself (similar to senseFly’s fixed-wing eBee drones).

With so many unique features in one safe, robust platform, senseFly is pioneering innovation in the civil drone field. “We are thrilled to announce the eXom and look forward to demonstrating this next-generation platform to Intergeo visitors,” said Jean-Christophe Zufferey, CEO and co-founder of senseFly. “We designed eXom to be unlike any other rotary drone; a fully-integrated imaging platform rather than just a remote-controlled aircraft with cameras attached. This allows users to focus on their work, not on flying.”