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Report

Teaser, summary, work performed and final results

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HYBCOPTER (Hybrid multi copter with 6 times more flight time.)

Teaser

Summary

The action for HYBCOPTER project during SME Instrument Phase 1 consisted in a feasibility study for HYBRiX multicopter, the new product from Quaternium. The disruptive innovation of this multicopter is its extended endurance of up to 4 hours, 10 times higher than any other commercial multicopter on the market. We obtain this endurance thanks to a hybrid fuel-electric technology with a range-extender. The main objectives of the action were the completion of our business plan and the assessment of technical and commercial feasibility of our innovation.

Work performed

To fulfill our objectives, we identified the main stakeholders for the project and established contact with them through different channels. We negotiated with suppliers and commercial partners and carried out technical tests to calculate our exploitation margin. We also met with potential customers from different segments to validate our value proposition and pricing. Once we had feedback from the different stakeholders and our own conclusions, we redesigned the product to improve its orientation to the market and validated the improvements with the stakeholders. The results of our research and analysis have been successful, proving that customers are willing to buy the product once it is available and that the business plan is viable. We presented HYBRiX on the Global Robot Expo in January 2016, getting high media coverage, with an audience estimated in more than 10 million people.

Final results

We are the first company in the world to successfully develop a hybrid fuel-electric multicopter. This is a disruptive evolution that places a multicopter for the first time at the level of mid-range drones. Our product will allow service providers all over the world to reduce operational costs and to add increased value to their customers, performing professional missions such as aerial surveys, fire monitoring, forest & wildlife protection, private surveillance, urgent transport or precision farming, in a fast and affordable way.

HYBRiX is also a valuable tool for public organisms of Law Enforcement and First Responses to perform missions safely, contributing to save lives in case of accidents or major disasters. Its reduced acquisition and operational cost compared to the vehicles currently used for these applications will allow Public Agencies to have a bigger fleet of support, shortening response time comparing to current situation. The low consumption of HYBRiX will also have a positive impact on the environment, compared to other aerial vehicles.

The exploitation of HYBRiX product by the different stakeholders will also have a significant impact in employment, not only in Quaternium company, but also in the companies of service providers, payload integrations, maintenance technicians, pilot schools, customers of different fields, data analyzers and related industries. With sales estimated in thousands of units, thousands of pilots and analysts will also be needed, contributing to foster qualified employment in the EU and placing Europe in the forefront of the commercial drone industry.