Airial Robotics, head-quartered in Hamburg and with branches in Hungary and the UK, has unveiled an innovative UAV carrier system that redefines the possibilities of commercial drone applications due to a completely newly developed and patented technology platform, Gyrotrak. Thanks to the hybrid concept that combines tried-and-tested aerodynamic principles with the latest technologies, Airial Robotics has created a new class of drone that clearly exceeds current industry standards in terms of flight time, payload, range and efficiency whilst at the same time possessing a highly modular system architecture that can be adapted to all kinds of missions. The company has devoted itself to rethinking every aspect of today’s UAV products to come up with better solutions using state of the art methods and technologies. UAV systems are regarded as the biggest growth market in the aviation industry and one of the fastest growing billion-dollar markets around. Analysts expect an increase in turnover from US$22.5 billion (2020) to $42.8 billion by 2025.

“In design terms, Airial Robotics has struck out on a new path with Gyrotrak, one that differs markedly from the traditional multicopter and VTOL fixed-wing solutions: Our technology is a disruptive hybrid UAV solution, somewhere between helicopter and autogyro. The innovative combination of the advantages of both systems creates such a unique and special technical platform, that it leaves the current industry standards behind it, and makes Gyrotrak a real game changer. Gyrotrak gives us the ability to at least double important factors like flight time, range, and payload, when compared to traditional multicopter systems. Furthermore, long hovering flights and multiple take-offs and landings are not a problem, which isn’t the case or possible with a lot of VTOL fixed-wing solutions,” explained Jörg Schamuhn, co-founder and CEO of Airial Robotics.

Gyrotrak boasts a versatile, modular and individually adjustable structure, ideally suited to the commercial market where the various application fields, ranging from agriculture, cargo and inspection or security service missions, require effective new solutions tailored precisely to their specific needs. In addition, its scalable design permits development of different size and weight class models, ranging between 4kg and 300kg take-off weight. Missions to offshore installations to supply critical spare parts are just as possible with the Gyrotrak platform as are inspections, accurate to a centimetre, or high precision manoeuvring by drone in extensive Agriculture 4.0 areas.

Gyrotrak combines the best of two worlds

The main rotor autorotation principle, familiar from autogyros, not only ensures the new Gyrotrak platform requires very little energy in forward flight and possesses great flight stability, but also that the UAV itself can still land safely even if the motor fails. At the same time, the new hybrid solution has the positive features of a helicopter, which can hover precisely on the spot, fly backwards if necessary, or also perform multiple vertical take-offs and landings during a mission.

“The key to success in Gyrotrak is also to be found in the perfectly seamless transitions between the helicopter and autogyro flight modes, which are automated by sophisticated software. Here, we rely on aviation standards not just in the software, but also in the hardware. The UAV was developed completely in Europe and is produced here too. Among other things, the autopilot we use is DO-178/ED-12 or DO-254 aviation certified,” added Jörg Schamuhn.

GT20: First Gyrotrak product for surveillance and cargo deployments

The first product based on the new concept is the new, fully electric GT20 Gyrotrak. It has a maximum take-off weight of 20 kg and is capable of performing LOS and BVLOS flights. The payload of 12.5 kg can be distributed between the battery and additional load, depending on the mission.

“For example, if the GT20 Gyrotrak is fitted with a professional camera weighing about 500g, it can stay in the air for about 2.5 hours and cover up to 150 km at cruise speeds of 90 kph. As a result, it is a perfect tool for police and security service deployments as well as search and rescue, whilst at the same time being ideal for pipeline inspections or securing perimeters. Also, as the payload distribution can be adjusted to suit each individual logistics application, Gyrotrak GT20 can be configured to deliver heavier, time-critical shipments fast and safely to their destination,” explained Jörg Schamuhn.

As inventor, head developer and pioneer of the technical innovations, András Voloscsuk, co-founder and CTO of Airial Robotics added, “Our Gyrotrak platform is based on systematic intensive research and test work. We are pleased to be able to announce the first product today based on the new technology, which has the potential to change the life and work of many people positively.”

 

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