What it does
Hybrid heavy-lift UAV solves point-to-point cargo transport in remote, roadless areas (mountains/islands/forests), replacing costly/infeasible traditional methods with efficient VTOL delivery of 1.5-2 ton loads.
Your inspiration
Observing costly/infeasible infrastructure logistics in roadless mountains/islands/forests (e.g., Huangshan’s manual material hauling), we designed a hybrid VTOL heavy-lift drone to enable direct 1.5–2 ton cargo delivery, bypassing terrain constraints via vertical takeoff/landing and turbine-electric propulsion.
How it works
Hybrid propulsion: Short-shaft turbojets provide primary thrust for efficient cruise, while electric motors on quadrotor arms enable precise VTOL/hovering. Power management automatically switches modes—electric dominates takeoff/landing for low emissions, turbojets engage mid-flight for endurance.
Design process
Concept: Analyzed transport pain points in Huangshan case—eliminated infeasible options (balloons, monorails). Prioritized VTOL capability, 1.5T+ payload, and 45min endurance, leading to hybrid propulsion. Prototype evolution: Gen1 all-electric hexacopter (800kg) had 25min endurance; Gen2 hybrid (4-axis 8-blade) reached 1.2T payload but suffered swing; Final version used truss structure (35% lighter) + smart winch control to achieve 1.8T stable lift.
How it is different
Core Innovation: Hybrid propulsion isn't just fuel+electric—it's turbine-electric synergy with dynamic weight-adaptive control. Turbines handle 90% cruise energy needs (42% thermal efficiency), while electric motors act as dynamic stabilizers during hover, adjusting thrust 100x/sec based on load-sensor feedback. This dual-mode operation enables payloads 3X heavier than pure electric drones at 1/5 helicopter OPEX.
Future plans
A drone-powered aerial logistics network that dissolves terrain barriers, making remote highlands as accessible as cities—enabling education, healthcare, and economic growth without scarring landscapes with roads. Every peak becomes a potential community, not an isolation. Beyond transport—reimagining mountains through silent, emission-free turbines and AI swarm intelligence that harmonizes infrastructure with ecology. Drones as "sky roots" nourishing communities while leaving forests untouched.
Share this page on