Intel is to acquire German drone maker Ascending Technologies as it looks to expand its chip use beyond PCs.
Ascending Technologies develops and manufactures autopilot systems, unmanned aircraft systems and multi-rotor technology for professional, civil and research UAS applications.
The company said that with the acquisition of Ascending Technologies, it will be able to accelerate the deployment of Intel RealSense technology into the fast growing drone market segment.
Ascending Technologies is a startup with around 75 employees and apart from making drones it also makes software that is used to fly the drones.
Previously, Intel Capital invested in Ascending Technologies, and Intel also partnered with the drone maker to combine Ascending Technologies’ sense-and-avoid algorithms with Intel RealSense technology’s real-time depth-sensing capability.
The chip maker expects that the integrated technology will help aerial vehicles avoid obstacles and collisions.
Ascending Technologies’ "sense-and-avoid" algorithms are also used by other drone makers.
Intel said: "With Ascending Technologies, Intel gains expertise and technology to accelerate the deployment of Intel RealSense technology into the fast growing drone market segment.
"We plan for the Ascending Technologies team to continue supporting their current customers while also collaborating with Intel’s Perceptual Computing team to develop UAV technology that can help drones fly with more awareness of their environments."
According to reports, Intel has been trying to venture into new avenues of technology due to declines in hardware sales.
In August 2015, the company invested $60m into Shanghai-based drone and aerospace company Yuneec International.
