FLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) today announced Boson(TM), its smallest, lightest, and least power-consuming, high-performance uncooled thermal camera for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). Sized between FLIR's Tau(R) and Lepton(R) camera cores, Boson is the first thermal camera core to incorporate a sophisticated, low-power multi-core vision processor running FLIR XIR(TM) expandable infrared video processing architecture.
Boson features a high sensitivity 12-micron pixel pitch detector that provides high-resolution thermal imaging in a small, low power, lightweight, turnkey package. It also offers several levels of video processing with inputs and processing for other sensors including visible CMOS imaging sensors, Global Positioning Systems (GPSs), and Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs). Additionally, FLIR XIR provides OEM customers with a suite of advanced image processing features including, super resolution algorithms, sophisticated noise reduction filters, local area contrast enhancement and image blending.
Offered in 320 x 256 and 640 x 512 formats with 15 field-of-view options, Boson offers the widest range of features and lens choices for FLIR's OEM customers. Boson also supports common interfaces for displays, storage devices and data communication. OEMs can also leverage FLIR's Solution Accelerator to develop product solutions for key market verticals including firefighting, automotive, maritime, hunting, UAS, and military.
"Boson represents a significant advancement in size, weight, power and cost for small high-performance microbolometer-based cameras," said Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR. "As the market demand for affordable and smaller sized camera cores strengthens, we continue to drive technical breakthroughs that enable high performance sensing at lower costs to produce. We're excited to introduce Boson into our family of cores and to offer a broader range of configuration options to OEMs that will help them expedite development and lower their cost-to-market."
The FLIR Boson is available to OEMs today for product development testing.
FLIR has also announced a range of thermal imaging solutions for firefighters, including the FLIR K33 and FLIR K53 handheld cameras, the FLIR KF6 camera for fire engines, and two FLIR Aerial First Responder Kits featuring the DJI Zenmuse XT powered by FLIR. These new products will be showcased for the first time today at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) International trade show for firefighters in Indianapolis, Indiana. Along with the recently introduced FLIR K2 entry-level thermal firefighting camera, the new product additions underscore FLIR's commitment to providing high-quality, affordable thermal imaging cameras for broad firefighting applications.
The FLIR K33 and K53 handheld cameras offer a single button interface and four-inch screen that help make camera operation simple while on the job. Positioned near the middle of FLIR's firefighting camera lineup with an easy-to-use interface and affordable price points, the K33 and K53 will enable more firefighters with thermal imaging capabilities so they can see through smoke, identify hot spots, navigate safely, and locate and rescue victims more easily.
The FLIR KF6 represents the firefighting industry's first thermal camera designed for fire engine ladders. By mounting it on a fire engine ladder, the FLIR KF6 allows firefighters to better observe and safely plan how to fight a large building, warehouse, or structure fire. The KF6 also helps firefighters better assess the effectiveness of their extinguishing strategies.
Packaging the DJI Zenmuse XT stabilized thermal camera powered by FLIR with the DJI Inspire 1 drone, the FLIR Aerial First Responder Kits provide first responders added support from the air. Available in both Advanced and Basic packages, these kits allow firefighters to gain a thermal perspective from high above the ground to pinpoint temperature variances signifying potential problems in buildings, to detect the presence of people or animals, and to monitor fire personnel in large fire scenes.
"With its ability to see through smoke, measure temperature, and locate people in potentially dangerous situations, thermal imaging provides a superpower-like capability for firefighters," said Andy Teich, President and CEO of FLIR Systems. "These product introductions at FDIC and our continuous efforts to reduce the cost of thermal technology will help broaden the range of firefighting solutions and bring us closer to our mission of enabling every firefighter with this life-saving technology."
