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Innovation has always been at the heart of Cyberhawk’s DNA. We continually explore new technologies and partnerships that enhance image quality, strengthen operational reliability, streamline workflows, and ultimately deliver greater value to our customers.
That commitment to innovation extends beyond adopting new tools; it means helping shape them from the ground up.
One recent milestone for Cyberhawk has been the adoption of Sony’s ILX-LR1 camera - a purpose-built high resolution imaging system designed for seamless drone integration.
Working directly with Sony’s engineering team during the camera’s development, Cyberhawk shared our 15+ years of field experience to help shape Sony’s design approach, leading to a camera that delivers exceptional field performance for industrial inspections.
The LR1’s compact, drone-forward design retains the core strengths of Sony’s full-frame handheld cameras while stripping away those features unnecessary in the air: the viewfinder, screen, internal battery, grip and other on-body controls. By removing this extra weight and complexity, Sony created a lighter, more adaptable camera optimized for drone integration.
The LR1 also retains Sony’s E-mount for lens mounting, opening up a wealth of lens configurations, and allowing for optical rather than digital zoom – a feature missing from the majority of alternate payloads.
This versatility affords Cyberhawk’s pilots the ability to increase standoff distances around complex or high-risk live assets, such as transmission towers or flare stacks, without compromising on image quality.
Combined with Sony’s industry leading sensor technology, the result is clear: consistent data capture in any environment, from dark Scottish winters to sun-drenched California skies.
Cyberhawk’s global inspection teams can now translate these qualities into enhanced value propositions for our customers.
As Phil Buchan, Cyberhawk’s COO, explains, “The LR1 camera has been a game changer for us… it’s now the camera of choice for our teams in the UK, US, and Qatar.”
The partnership between Cyberhawk and Sony underscores the power of collaboration at the interface between operational expertise and technological innovation, and sets a new benchmark for successful, field-focussed payload development.
As industries worldwide seek safer, more efficient ways to manage their critical assets, Cyberhawk remains at the forefront, leveraging cutting-edge tools like the Sony LR1 to deliver precision, reliability, and insight from above.
Through continued investment in technology and talent, Cyberhawk is not just capturing data; it’s helping shape the future of intelligent, data-driven asset management.