Teledyne FLIR’s new AI software gives drones a brain boost

A new AI-powered software from Teledyne FLIR called Prism Supervisor aims to enhance drone autonomy and mission capabilities across multiple industries.

Core Technology and Capabilities: Prism Supervisor enables drones to autonomously adjust their flight paths in real-time and make independent decisions during missions.

• The software allows drones to dynamically modify routes, avoid obstacles, and detect ground-based objects or people without constant human intervention
• Drones equipped with Prism Supervisor can identify targets, adjust their flight pattern, and alert operators while maintaining their primary mission objectives
• The system supports multi-drone coordination, enabling synchronized operations across multiple aircraft

Technical Implementation: The software emphasizes accessibility and cross-platform compatibility while maintaining advanced functionality.

• Prism Supervisor operates on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms
• Users can stream and record full-frame video while tracking mission paths
• The integration with low-power processors allows drone manufacturers to develop efficient, cost-effective aircraft without requiring heavy computing hardware

Operational Benefits: The platform introduces significant improvements to drone mission management and execution.

• A user-friendly interface simplifies mission planning and control
• Single-click mission deployment reduces operator workload
• The system enables collaborative operations across multiple drones, streamlining complex missions

Industry Applications: Prism Supervisor targets multiple sectors with its advanced autonomous capabilities.

• Search and rescue operations can benefit from automated target identification and tracking
• Public safety and security operations gain enhanced surveillance capabilities
• Infrastructure inspection and defense applications can leverage improved autonomous navigation
• Commercial applications benefit from reduced operational complexity

Market Context: This release builds on Teledyne FLIR’s established presence in AI-driven imaging and sensing technology.

• Prism Supervisor integrates with the company’s existing Prism digital ecosystem
• The software represents a strategic advancement in drone autonomy technology
• The platform addresses growing demand for automated drone operations across industries

Future Implications: The introduction of Prism Supervisor signals a shift toward more sophisticated autonomous drone operations, though questions remain about real-world performance and adoption rates across different sectors.