Intel has acquired a drone maker dubbed as Ascending Technologies for an undisclosed sum. The German company makes drones and auto-pilot software which gives the drones a sense of the surroundings.
Ascending Technologies had already teamed up with Intel for using latter’s 3D depth camera RealSense and now the acquisition will help it improve drone safety to avoid obstacles and collisions. The company said that the acquisition will enable Intel to “integrate the computing, communications, sensor and cloud technology required to make drones smarter and more connected.” Ascending Technologies will continue to support their current customers while also collaborate with Intel’s Perceptual Computing team to develop UAV technology that can help drones fly with more awareness of their environments.
Intel is positioning itself at the forefront of this opportunity to increasingly integrate the computing, communications, sensor and cloud technology required to make drones smarter and more connected.
Josh Walden, SVP and GM of Intel’s New Technology Group, wrote in a blog post.
The latest move comes from Intel soon after Qualcomm showcased the Snapdragon Flight drone last week in a short video. The drone industry is emerging and chip suppliers are seeking a big opportunity to become technology suppliers for these companies.