Compact, power-efficient platform combines edge AI, multi-sensor perception, flight-controller connectivity, and integrated robotics software for next-generation UAV development
TAIPEI, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Advantech, a global leader in AIoT and Edge Computing, today announced the ASR-D501, a compact AI companion and mission computer designed to accelerate the development of autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Powered by the Qualcomm® QCS6490, the ASR-D501 delivers up to 12 TOPS of AI performance within a sub-10W power envelope, while integrating multi-camera vision, sensor connectivity, flight-controller interfaces, wireless expansion, and the Advantech Robotic Suite for Drone.
Designed specifically for size-, weight-, and power-constrained airborne applications, the ASR-D501 provides a unified computing platform for real-time AI inference, visual perception, localization, sensor fusion, and mission-level processing. It supports advanced autonomous capabilities including object detection, visual localization, VIO, SLAM, obstacle awareness, and GNSS-denied navigation.
Power-Efficient AI Computing for Autonomous UAVs
The Qualcomm QCS6490 combines heterogeneous CPU, GPU, and NPU computing to enable AI workloads to run directly onboard the drone.
By processing perception and mission-level workloads locally, the ASR-D501 reduces reliance on continuous cloud connectivity while allowing the primary flight controller to remain focused on real-time flight stabilization and actuator control.
Supported AI workloads include:
- Object detection and tracking
- Semantic segmentation
- Visual inspection and anomaly detection
- Obstacle awareness
- Vision-based localization
- Sensor-fusion processing
Multi-Sensor Perception and Flexible Connectivity
To support increasingly sophisticated UAV perception systems, the ASR-D501 integrates five 4-lane MIPI-CSI interfaces, enabling flexible combinations of RGB, monochrome, stereo, and high-resolution cameras.
The platform also provides a 2.5 GbE interface, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and onboard interfaces including CAN FD, UART, I2C, and GPIO for connecting LiDAR, depth cameras, IMUs, flight controllers, ESCs, battery-management systems, and other onboard devices.
For long-range and BVLOS-oriented deployments, the ASR-D501 supports Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth, and 4G/5G cellular connectivity through M.2 expansion, together with an onboard Nano-SIM. This enables flexible communication architectures for telemetry, command and control, video transmission, and remote mission management.
Accelerating Development with Advantech Robotic Suite for Drone
The ASR-D501 supports Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and the Advantech Robotic Suite for Drone, providing a pre-integrated development environment for autonomous UAV applications.
The software environment connects high-level ROS 2 applications with flight-controller ecosystems including PX4 and ArduPilot, leveraging technologies such as MAVLink, MAVSDK, and MAVROS.
Advantech also provides validated reference workflows that integrate AI perception, visual localization, sensor fusion, mapping, object tracking, path planning, and flight control. By providing a connected software and hardware foundation from perception to flight-control integration, the ASR-D501 helps developers reduce integration complexity and move faster from hardware bring-up to autonomous-flight application development.
Built for Production UAV Deployment
The ASR-D501 is engineered to meet the practical requirements of industrial UAV deployment with a compact, fanless design and industrial-grade reliability.
Key specifications include:
- 100 × 60 mm compact form factor
- Approximately 50g board weight without heatsink
- 5–12V DC input
- Passive / fanless thermal design
- -20°C to 70°C operating temperature
- 3.5 Grms vibration resistance
- Industrial-grade ESD protection
- Lockable connectors
- Long-term product lifecycle support
Expanding Advantech's UAV Computing Portfolio
The ASR-D501 is part of Advantech's broader strategy to build a scalable computing portfolio for increasingly diverse UAV architectures and mission requirements.
Beyond the QCS6490-based ASR-D501, Advantech's UAV roadmap includes OSM- and SMARC-based SOM solutions for flexible system designs, as well as IQ9075M-based platforms for applications requiring higher AI performance and advanced sensor integration. In 2027, Advantech plans to further expand the portfolio with mid-range Qualcomm® CQ8-based solutions.
By combining scalable computing platforms, robotics software integration, sensor ecosystem support, and long-term industrial lifecycle management, Advantech aims to provide drone developers with a clear path from autonomous-flight prototyping to increasingly intelligent and production-ready UAV systems.
To learn more about the ASR-D501 drone computing solutions: Link
Advantech robotics solutions: Robotics eBook / Robotic Suite
About Advantech
Advantech is a global leader in intelligent IoT systems and embedded platforms, with the corporate vision of "Enabling an Intelligent Planet." To embrace the trends of edge computing and artificial intelligence, Advantech has adopted a sector-driven strategy centered on Edge Computing and Edge AI. The company focuses on five key markets: edge intelligent systems, smart manufacturing, energy and utilities, intelligent healthcare, and intelligent retail and services. By integrating its Edge Computing hardware platforms, WISE-IoT industrial IoT software platform, industry-specific Edge AI solutions, and domain expertise, Advantech enables collaborative business models for integrated industry applications and helps partners connect across the value chain. Advantech also actively co-creates industry ecosystems with partners to accelerate industrial intelligence. www.advantech.com
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Advantech Launches ASR-D501 AI Companion Computer for Autonomous Drone Applications
Vacationers are in for unforgettable adventures to The Last Frontier with 7-night vacations across four Royal Caribbean ships and extended land Cruisetour experiences
MIAMI, Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Royal Caribbean has unveiled its 2028 Alaska lineup, offering more ways for vacationers to experience the beauty of the Last Frontier on Anthem, the newly amplified Ovation, Serenade and Voyager of the Seas beginning in April 2028. Adventurers can explore Alaska's majestic glaciers, diverse wildlife and coastal communities on 7-night vacations departing from Seattle, Seward and Vancouver, with ways to extend select journeys on multi-night Cruisetour land experiences. The 2028 lineup of Alaska vacations is now open to book on Royal Caribbean's website for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members, ahead of the official opening on Thursday, Oct. 1.
From visiting Mendenhall Glacier in Juneau and exploring the historic charm of Skagway to taking in the rugged landscapes of Icy Strait Point, adventurers can discover the state's remarkable wildlife, rich heritage and awe-inspiring scenery on bold vacations for all ages. Guests can take in sweeping views of glaciers, mountains and fjords from the all-glass North Star observation capsule on Anthem and Ovation, while enjoying experiences in between destinations like the RipCord by iFly skydiving simulator, bumper cars and roller skating at SeaPlex, and live entertainment at the Royal Theater and Music Hall.
Alaska Summer 2028 Highlights
- Anthem of the Seas – From Seward and Vancouver
From May to September, Anthem will combine Alaska's iconic coastlines with immersive inland experiences on 7-night vacations and 2- to 6-night Cruisetours that extend the journey before or after the vacation, including adventures to Denali National Park. Vacationers can marvel at one of Alaska's most spectacular natural wonders at Hubbard Glacier and explore Ketchikan for fishing, kayaking, hiking and zip lining through forests. Back onboard, travelers can take in panoramic views from the North Star observation capsule, enjoy action-packed experiences at SeaPlex – the largest indoor activity space at sea – and refuel at Jamie's Italian for Tuscan family-style dishes and Johnny Rockets for American classics.
- Ovation of the Seas – From Seattle
The newly amplified Ovation will bring vacationers to Alaska's natural wonders on 7-night adventures from Seattle between May and September. Vacationers can discover the lush landscapes and rich heritage of Sitka, Skagway and Juneau, along with the breathtaking waterfalls, valleys and mountain views at Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. On Ovation, vacationers can make memories between destinations with skydiving at the Ripcord by iFly simulator, dancing at the brand-new Sound Cellar and celebrating with tropical cocktails at the Pesky Parrot tiki bar. To refuel, there's a variety of international cuisine to indulge in from Italian favorites at Giovanni's Italian Kitchen, premium cuts at Chops Grille and hibachi at Izumi Teppanyaki.
- Serenade of the Seas – From Vancouver
On Serenade, vacationers can explore Alaska's rugged mountains, temperate rainforests and wildlife-rich coastline on 7-night getaways from Vancouver from May to September. Adventures await with the longest and highest zipline at Icy Strait Point, hiking in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, and browsing the historic district of Juneau. On deck, adventurers can take on the rock-climbing wall, kick back with poolside movie nights under the stars and enjoy live music at the Schooner Bar. Plus, with exteriors made from over three acres of glass, Serenade's unique, light-filled design gives way to the grandeur of the Alaskan surroundings from the comfort of the ship.
- Voyager of the Seas – From Seattle
From April to September, vacationers on Voyager can experience 7-night getaways from Seattle to Alaskan towns of Sitka, Juneau and Skagway and Canada's Victoria, British Columbia. Adventurers can visit national historic sites of the Last Frontier and take in postcard-perfect views of the surrounding mountains and coastal landscapes, while keeping an eye out for wildlife like grizzly bears, harbor seals and bald eagles. Back on Voyager, families can stay active with ice skating and laser tag at Studio B, mini golf and arcade games, while adults can unwind at the Solarium fully climatized pool deck.
Vacationers traveling from Seward can enjoy a seamless beginning-to-end journey with Royal Caribbean Group and the Alaska Railroad's new state-of-the-art terminal. Designed to elevate every step of the vacation experience, the facility offers stunning mountain views, an effortless arrival and embarkation process, and convenient access to the neighboring Alaska Railroad station, making it easier than ever to explore more of Alaska's breathtaking destinations. The investment also advances Royal Caribbean Group's corporate responsibility SEA the Future initiative by creating lasting benefits for the local community, from providing a year-round gathering space for sports, youth programs and other group activities, to hosting events such as the recent award ceremony held for local entrepreneurs who participated in the bespoke small business accelerator program Port Partners.
Vacationers can learn more about the upcoming Alaska adventures on Royal Caribbean's website.
About Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean, part of Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has delivered memorable vacations for more than 50 years. The cruise line's game-changing ships and signature destinations revolutionize vacations with industry-leading innovations and an all-encompassing combination of experiences, from thrills and ways to chill, to dining and entertainment, for every type of family and vacationer. Voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for 23 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards, Royal Caribbean makes memories with adventurers across more than 300 destinations in 80 countries on all seven continents, including Perfect Day CocoCay in The Bahamas and Royal Beach Clubs in Paradise Island and Santorini, plus Royal Beach Club Lelepa coming soon.
Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visit www.RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to book, vacationers can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com, call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN or contact their travel advisor.
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN REVEALS 2028 SUMMER LINEUP OF ALASKA VACATIONS
