Story ID: 137
Volocopter Launches VoloDrone eVTOL Freight Aircraft
By: Charles Alcock
Caption: Volocopter has added standardized rail attachment system to its VoloCity eVTOL aircraft to transform it into the new VoloDrone freight-carrying model.
Word Count: 405
Would-be electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) maker Volocopter has introduced two new versions of its eVTOL aircraft. The first is VoloDrone, a freight-carrying version of its VoloCity electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The demonstrator was unveiled on October 30 at the company’s headquarters in the southern Germany city of Bruchsal. It made its first flight earlier in October.

Like the two-passenger VoloCity, the unmanned VoloDrone can carry a payload of up to 440 pounds (200 kg). The aircraft has been designed to carry items such as boxes, liquids, and equipment up to 25 miles (40 km). It is intended to be remotely piloted or flown autonomously on preset routes.

The VoloDrone’s rail attachment system has been developed to match standard hardware commonly used for various aerospace and logistics applications. With a diameter of just more than 30 feet (9.2 meters) and a height of 7 feet 6 inches (2.3 meters), the aircraft has been sized to be compatible with Euro-palette packages and has sufficient space in the attachment unit for a sling, a sprayer, or other customized equipment.

Volocopter sees the VoloDrone being used by various sectors, including agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, and public services. Like the VoloCity, the multicopter has 18 rotors and gets power from swappable lithium-ion batteries

In addition, the company has partnered with American agricultural vehicle and equipment manufacturer John Deere to create the first large agricultural application drone for missions traditionally performed by helicopters, the drone-maker announced last month. The aircraft is based on the VoloDrone and fitted with a John Deere crop-protection spray system with two tanks, a pump, and a spray bar.

Volocopter said the agricultural drone, which has a potential payload up to 441 pounds, is reconfigurable for multiple missions, including spraying, sowing seeds, and frost control and that it can be piloted by a remote operator or fly a pre-programmed route.

The VoloDrone has a diameter of 30.2 feet and is powered by 18 rotors and a fully electric drive using exchangeable lithium-ion batteries. One battery charge provides 30 minutes of flight time. For agricultural spraying, the VoloDrone can cover an area equal to approximately 15 acres per flight hour.

Volocopter called the agricultural VoloDrone a “sustainable, precise, and cost-effective alternative to helicopters. Due to the system’s high flexibility and GPS control, more selective area-specific treatments are also possible.” Flight and application tests will begin next year.

, full_html