How can TDK make drones better?

SmartSonic™

Obstacle Detection

With drones moving faster then ever before, it is necessary to be able to avoid anything that could show up within its path. Using TDK’s ultrasonic Time of Flight technology – Drones can detect obstacles within a 7M+ range in any direction in real time tov quickly and accurately adjust its position. TDK’s Time-of-Flight sensors can also detect clear material like windows and plastic, and add additional improvements and accuracy to the SLAM feature typically found in drones.

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SmartMotion®

Flight Control and Gimbal Stabilization

IMUs are an essential part of modern drones. They're used to measure the velocity, acceleration, and orientation of a drone for motion and altitude control. Working in tandem with GPS data, IMUs help drones navigate their surroundings. Photography and videography is the number one function of today’s drone, and a clear picture won't be possible without gimbal stabilization aided by an accurate IMU.

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SmartSound™

Audio Capture

As propeller motors continue to lower their noise levels, the ability to capture audio has never been easier! TDK’s high-performance MEMS microphones provide ample dynamic range and low power to enable even the noisiest drones to finally capture clear audio data. A strong microphone array can help capture audio signatures and provide robust solutions such as propeller noise removal, ANC, and high-definition audio/video from the camera. This is a major step in the roadmap to one day control drones with just our voices and no need for a controller!

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SmartSonic™

Ground Type Identification (e.g. water vs. land)

Certain drones are fond of flying over different types of ground area; grass, dirt, rock but struggle to understand the difference between land and water. TDK’s Ultrasonic Time-of-Flight technology can detect with high accuracy changes in the ground type and use that data to optimize flight plans, speeds, and height to ensure your drone does not end up at the bottom of the sea.

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SmartPressure™

Indoor/Outdoor Pressure Stabilization

More than ever, a single drone is being used both indoors and outdoors for different situations. The ability of TDK’s Pressure Sensor to accurately measure barometric pressure changes enables stable drone altitude hold regardless A/C units, doors opening, extreme winds, or major weather changes.

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SmartIndustrial™

Accuracy & Performance Beyond Consumer

Not all drones are the same – so a “one size fits all” IMU is unlikely to appease everyone’s needs. Along with TDK’s industry-leading consumer-grade IMUs, we are also excited to announce a full array of Industrial-grade sensor and modules that take performance and accuracy to the next level. Applications focused on robotics, agriculture, high end precision, and so on can now explore our latest offerings, which take IMU performance from consumer-leading to industrial-leading!

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Which TDK Offerings Can Take Your Drone To The Next Level?