Aeryon Labs Inc. and Panasonic Canada
- Case Studies
Aeryon Labs Inc. is a world leader in aerial data collection and observation. They needed a ruggedized in-field tablet solution.
Aeryon Labs chooses the Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1 for their SkyRanger small Unmanned Aerial Systems—exceptional ease of use, in-field durability, system compatibility, and reliability were mission critical. Panasonic delivered.
Section Title
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Challenge
Aeryon Labs Inc. is a world leader in aerial data collection and observation. They needed a ruggedized in-field tablet solution. -
Solution
The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1 beat the competition with their industry-leading ruggedized computing technology. -
Result
The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1’s Windows based platform made it the ideal fit for Aeryon’s proprietary MCS software, the graphical map-based interface used to pilot the Aeryon SkyRanger and control the camera payload.
The Client
Few industries capture the imagination on a global scale the way that small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS), or drones as they are sometimes called, have in recent years. Aeryon Labs Inc. is leading the way in this revolutionary application of flight.Based in Waterloo, Canada, Aeryon Labs is the premier manufacturer of sUAS, with customers located in 35 countries around the world.
Currently, Aeryon employs more than 180 people, with new offices opening to scale their operations and accommodate their ongoing exponential growth.
Applications for Aeryon’s sUAS technology include energy, oil and gas, surveying and mapping, wildlife monitoring, emergency and disaster response, police investigations, traffic accident reconstruction as well as covert and tactical military operations.
The Challenge
The Aeryon sUAS have to work flawlessly, even under extreme and adverse conditions. To that end Aeryon required a ruggedized tablet that could deliver exceptional ease of use, in-field durability, system compatibility, and outstanding reliability.When the comprehensive evaluation process began there were a variety of devices under consideration, including the Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1.
Capabilities and questions included the outdoor readability of the display under varied lighting and weather conditions, battery life that was compatible with the sUAS battery life, can the tablet be easily charged and is there an in-vehicle charger.
Further requirements included comfort and ease of use during flight, simplicity of downloading maps and other mission critical data, ruggedness in the field and compatibility with the Aeryon Windows-based Mission Control Station software.
Given the emergency response and potential in-field military applications, the Aeryon sUAS have to work flawlessly, even under extreme and adverse conditions. The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1 was one of the ruggedized tablets tested to see if it met our criteria for both performance and reliability.Shaun Coghlan
Senior Product Manager, Aeryon Labs
The Solution
After processing the rigorous field testing data and client user feedback, the Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1 came out the clear winner. The daylight readable display, anti-glare screen treatments and ability to configure for brightness facilitated smooth flight control during both day and night time operations.Panasonic’s industry-leading rugged computing technology delivered outstanding performance for vibration and shock absorption, battery life, dust and water ingress as well as functionality in high altitudes and -30 to +50 temperatures.
The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1’s ultra light-weight, comfortable design, exceptional ease of use, and outstanding capabilities made it the best product to integrate with the Aeryon aircraft system.
System Compatibility
The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1’s Windows based platform made it the ideal fit for Aeryon’s proprietary MCS software, the graphical map-based interface used to pilot the Aeryon SkyRanger and control the camera payload.MCS software also allows the pilot to effectively respond to real-time alerts and notifications during flight, including low battery, lost communications, and changing wind conditions.
The insights and expertise provided by the team at Panasonic and their partners play an integral role in our success. We look forward to continuing this relationship as we expand our product lines into the future.Rob McMillan
VP Operations, Aeryon Labs
Moving Forward
Aeryon Labs continues to lead the way in Unmanned Aerial Systems, including their diverse payload options, encrypted technologies, exceptional ease of use and industry leading 50-minute flight time capabilities.This is a very exciting time in the rapidly growing industry of unmanned flight—we look forward to further strengthening our relationship with Aeryon as together we bring this revolutionary technology to the world.
The Panasonic Toughbook FZ-G1 was the ideal fit for our Windows-based Mission Control Station software, facilitating exceptional ease of use and simplified customer training. The ongoing customer service from Panasonic and their partners has been exceptional throughout the procurement.Shaun Coghlan
Senior Product Manager, Aeryon Labs