Intel buys drone-maker

The financial terms of the acquisition have not been officially disclosed by Intel. Numerous company’s products are used in niche markets for visual inspections or 3-D map-making.

Some of Ascending’s drones already use Intel’s RealSense technology, which combine cameras with depth-sensing software.

Kent Tibbils, vice president of marketing at ASI, a Fremont, Calif.-based Intel system builder, said the acquisition is “not completely surprising”.

Though Intel doesn’t make any consumer technology itself, the company desperately wants to appeal to innovative companies developing the next generation of gadgets in hopes those entrepreneurs will use Intel chips to run their new devices.

An Ascending Technologies drone called Firefly with six RealSense cameras that could automatically detect and move away from approaching people was shown at last year’s CES in January.

With increasing demand for drones, Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) has taken a step forward to develop strong footings in the drone segment. “Either way, it’s not a risk to Intel if it doesn’t work”.

Inte has not revealed the roadmap plan with the acquisition. It also is the latest step in a budding competition with rival chip maker Qualcomm in the drone space.

The aim, according to the blog post, is to improve drone safety by helping drones avoid obstacles, reducing collisions.

Walden said Ascending Technologies will continue to support its current customers while also working with Intel’s Perceptual Computing team to innovate on drone technology.

Intel, which missed out on the smartphone market, has made a number of investments in promising new technology areas in order to offset the decline of its core PC chip business. Some drones may be flying around during Intel CEO Brian Krzanich’s keynote on Wednesday at the Venetian hotel in Las Vegas.