Quantum Solutions, a UK-based imaging technology company, has expanded its lineup of quantum-dot shortwave infrared (SWIR) drone payloads designed to capture data beyond the visible spectrum. The company’s Q.Fly family now includes multiple mission-specific configurations—including the Q.Fly Water system for real-time moisture mapping—each built around proprietary quantum-dot sensors that extend imaging into the 400–1,700 nm range.
SWIR imaging allows drones to detect phenomena invisible to standard RGB cameras, including moisture content, material composition, and thermal signatures obscured by haze or smoke. Quantum Solutions’ quantum-dot technology delivers these capabilities in lightweight, DJI-compatible payloads that integrate directly with Matrice 300 and Matrice 350 RTK platforms, streaming live video to the DJI controller without additional ground equipment.
The Q.Fly Water payload, introduced at SPIE Future Sensing Technologies in Yokohama, Japan, captures both near-infrared and SWIR data simultaneously to compute a Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI) onboard the drone. The system streams live, color-coded moisture maps directly to the flight controller, delivering spatial resolution up to 400 times finer than satellite-based methods. Weighing approximately 600 grams, the payload enables centimeter-level moisture mapping for applications including precision agriculture, turf management, wetland monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and archaeology.
“Q.Fly Water combines tuned quantum-dot SWIR sensors with onboard NDMI computation to deliver a live moisture view with centimetre precision,” said Alexander Bessonov, VP of Products, Imaging Systems at Quantum Solutions. “It means decisions can now be made in real time, right from the controller screen.”
The broader Q.Fly platform supports multiple configurations, including solar panel inspection via electroluminescence imaging and general-purpose SWIR exploration. All payloads share a common architecture: a 640 × 512 pixel quantum-dot sensor, built-in RGB camera, optional thermal imaging, and a 3-axis gyrostabilized gimbal. The system operates at up to 220 Hz for high-speed spectral capture and supports flight times of up to 35 minutes per battery cycle.
“Advances in quantum dot SWIR imaging technology, aerial robotics and on-edge computing are allowing us to reveal information that was previously invisible,” said Marat Lutfullin, CEO of Quantum Solutions. “Our mission is to make that hidden data accessible and practical, turning high-performance imaging into an everyday tool for those managing critical infrastructure.”
More information is available from their website.
About Quantum Solutions
Quantum Solutions is a UK-based imaging technology company pioneering quantum-dot shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging systems that extend vision beyond the visible spectrum. Through full vertical integration from quantum-dot materials to complete UAV payloads and data analytic platforms, the company makes advanced spectral imaging practical and accessible. Its Q.Fly family of drone-based sensing systems delivers new insights across energy, environment, and industrial inspection. With headquarters in Oxford and engineering in Cambridge, Quantum Solutions is making the invisible visible.
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Ian McNabb is a journalist focusing on drone technology and lifestyle content at Dronelife. He is based between Boston and NH and, when not writing, enjoys hiking and Boston area sports.
