With a Modular Design and Unmatched Battery Life, the Highdra Presents Value-Efficient Flexibility for Surveying, Filming, and Mapping Tasks
by DRONELIFE Workers Author Ian J. McNabb
German drone developer Starcopter just lately unveiled the Highdra, a 6-rotor commercial-focused UAV bought by way of an progressive flight-hours pricing mannequin that makes it some of the cost-effective, highly effective options accessible available on the market. DroneLife bought up shut and private with the Starcopter at INTERGEO, the place the Braunschweig-based firm described the Highdra and gave DroneLife some insights into what makes them totally different from their rivals.
With a singular, automotive-inspired 6-battery array system and structure, Starcopter advertises its unequalled cost lifetime, maintaining the Highdra airloft even after many rivals would flip their batteries into e-waste. Add in absolutely tool-less dis-and-re-assembly and a compact design that may match into the trunk of a automobile, and the Highdra appears completely designed for a variety of functions, particularly contemplating its versatile, mission-driven modular payload system.
Whereas they’re nonetheless just a little cagey on technical specs, together with weight and flight time, DroneLife was informed the Highdra is able to a variety of surveying, filming, and mapping functions.
In keeping with their web site, “We don’t solely develop the most recent drone know-how, but in addition supply a collection of state-of-the-art sensors because the payload. Whether or not the most recent lidar from CHCNAV or a 150MP digicam from PhaseOne or an infrared digicam from Workswell – your utility defines the sensor.”
As an alternative of creating the German-made Highdra accessible as a standalone product, Starcopter has honed in on a drone-as-a-service mannequin, pricing per-project. With their very own pilots, drones, and sensor pods, as a substitute of buying an (extraordinarily) costly industrial drone for a corporation, Starcopter took inspiration from airplane engines, which aren’t priced per-unit, as a substitute being priced by flight hour. This makes the Highdra an excellent resolution for firms that don’t at all times want a drone, however may use one for sure initiatives.
In keeping with the staff DroneLife talked to in Stuttgart, they put their minimal pricing all the way down to round €100 per flight hour (round $110), placing a strong UAV into the arms of shoppers at an unequalled value level. Extra particular challenge pricing is on the market upon request.
For extra info on Starcopter and the Highdra, click on right here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory atmosphere for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone area and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand spanking new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, E-mail Miriam.
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