A VTOL drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) without a runway or launch system. This type of drone is intended to operate in areas where space is limited or where traditional fixed-wing drones may not be able to take off or land.
According to a report published by MarketsandMarkets in 2020, the global VTOL drone market was valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 5.5 billion by 2025, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.30% from 2020 to 2025. The report also predicts that many VTOL drone manufacturers produce devices for use in the military and defense sectors. And the commercial segment, including industries such as agriculture, delivery, and surveillance, will see significant growth in the coming years.
VTOL drones play a vital role in industry and agriculture, so which VTOL drone manufacturers are more powerful?
1.ASY
Headquarter:China
Introduction:
ASY is a company based in Ningbo, China that is dedicated to providing affordable and interesting DIY drone solutions. Customization is at the core of their business, and they manufacture and assemble various types of drones tailored to their customers' needs. They offer fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones that can carry large loads and have long endurance, while reducing the difficulty of application and getting started as much as possible.
As a VTOL drone manufacturer, ASY is committed to using products in various industries, such as terrain mapping and exploration, real-world 3D modeling, agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry protection, and other fields.
The main product of ASY is KAOLA VTOL, which is a newly designed aircraft according to the portability requirements of users. The new EPP foam is very strong, 3 times stronger than the original EPO foam, anti-friction, and anti-fall. The size of the fuselage is further reduced, and it can be easily put into the trunk of a car after being put into the storage box.
2.JOUAV
Headquarter:China
Introduction:
Established in 2010, JOUAV focuses on the research, development, production, sales and service of industrial UAV-related products, and is committed to providing customers with intelligent, standardized and tooled industrial UAV systems. JOUAV is one of the most competitive industrial UAV enterprises in China accompanied by the leading growth domestically.
JOUAV as a VTOL drone manufacturer also offers a range of VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) drones, which combine the advantages of fixed-wing and multi-rotor drones. For example, the JOUAV CW series vertical take-off and landing drones are specially designed for industrial applications such as surveying and mapping, inspection, and aerial photography. Thanks to their fixed-wing design, they have a maximum flight time of up to 120 minutes and can effectively cover large areas. At the same time, they can take off and land vertically, allowing greater flexibility in deployment and operation.
3.Mugin UAV
Headquarter:China
Introduction:
Mugin UAV is a leading UAV airframe manufacturer and UAV system supplier. Their platforms, including VTOL drones and fixed-wing options, are designed to meet the specific requirements of various industries such as industrial inspection, gas and oil, precision agriculture, surveying and mapping, public safety, construction, forestry and sectoral defense.
Renowned for their efficiency and stability, Mugin UAV's VTOL drones offer a range of customizable options to suit customers' specific needs. Their drones are equipped with advanced sensors, communication systems and control software, and are capable of carrying payloads of up to 15kg for extended flight times.
4.Atmos
Headquarter:Netherlands
Introduction:
Atmos UAV is a Dutch VTOL drone manufacturer specializing in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones for surveying and mapping applications. Their flagship product is the Marlyn drone, which is compact, durable, and easy to use while delivering high-end performance and accuracy.
Atmos' Marlyn drone is equipped with high-resolution cameras, LiDAR sensors, and advanced software for data collection and analysis. The longest flight time can reach 50 minutes, and a single flight can cover an area of up to 200 hectares. Marlyn drones are ideal for a range of applications, including land surveying, construction, mining, and environmental monitoring.
5.ALTI
Headquarter:South Africa
Introduction:
ALTI is a South African VTOL drone manufacturer specializing in vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drones for commercial and industrial applications. Their flagship product is the Transition drone, which is designed to be versatile, reliable, and easy to use.
ALTI's Transition drone can be configured with a range of payloads, including high-resolution cameras, lidar sensors, and multispectral sensors, making it suitable for a variety of applications, including mapping, surveying, inspection, and search and rescue operations. The Transition UAV has a maximum flight time of up to 120 minutes and a single flight distance of up to 50 kilometers. It also has a unique hybrid design that enables it to take off and land vertically, then transition to a fixed-wing configuration for longer flights.
6.Aeromao
Headquarter:Canada
Introduction:
Aermao is Canada's leading drone manufacturer, specializing in VTOL drones for mapping and surveying applications for professionals in mapping, surveying, precision agriculture, remote sensing, and reconnaissance.
Aeromao's flagship product is the Aeromapper Talon, a fixed-wing VTOL drone that can take off and land vertically and is suitable for operations in confined areas. Its longest flight time can reach 3 hours, and a single flight can reach a distance of 50 kilometers. It features a high-resolution camera capable of capturing images at up to 1 centimeter per pixel resolution and a variety of other sensors, including LiDAR, multispectral, and thermal cameras.
7.Joby Aviation
Headquarter:India
Introduction:
Joby Aviation is an American aerospace company that specializes in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The company was founded in 2009 and has since been developing its eVTOL technology to provide sustainable transportation solutions.
Joby Aviation has developed a unique electric tilt-rotor aircraft that can take off and land like a helicopter but fly like an airplane, allowing it to fly faster and farther than conventional rotorcraft.
8.Vertical Aerospace
Headquarter:Britain
Introduction:
Vertical Aerospace is a British aerospace company that is developing vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) electric aircraft. The company aims to provide clean and efficient air travel by building electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically, eliminating the need for runways.
Vertical Aerospace is working on several VTOL aircraft projects, including the VA-X4, which is a four-passenger electric aircraft capable of flying at speeds of up to 200 mph and with a range of up to 100 miles. The VA-X4 uses tilt-rotor technology, where the rotors can tilt to enable vertical takeoff and landing and then tilt again to fly horizontally like a conventional aircraft.
9.Airbus
Headquarter:France
Introduction:
Airbus, one of the major aerospace companies in Europe, is currently focused on developing vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology. The company is working on several VTOL aircraft projects, including the CityAirbus, which is an electric aircraft designed to transport up to four passengers in urban areas.
The CityAirbus produced by Airbus can use four ducted electric fans to achieve vertical takeoff and landing and then switch to horizontal flight mode using fixed wings and propellers. With a range of approximately 50 km and a top speed of 120 km/h, CityAirbus is designed for urban air mobility.
10.Volocopter
Headquarter:Germany
Introduction:
Volocopter is a German VTOL drone manufacturer specializing in the development of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for urban air mobility. Volocopter is committed to providing sustainable and efficient air mobility solutions for urban mobility and sees eVTOL aircraft as an important part of future mobility. The company is continuing to innovate and develop new eVTOL aircraft concepts with the goal of making urban air mobility a reality.
Volocopter's flagship product is the Volocopter 2X, which has a range of about 35 kilometers and a top speed of about 110 kilometers per hour. The aircraft is designed for short urban flights and can fly autonomously or with a pilot.
Conclusion
In recent years, the VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) drone market has grown steadily, thanks to its advantages over traditional fixed-wing and quadrotor drones. This multifunctional technology has been applied in industries such as agriculture, industrial inspection and monitoring, etc. Some of the leading manufacturers in this field include ASY, Aeromao, Parrot, JOUAV, Mugin UAV, and Atmos UAV. These companies offer a range of high-performance VTOL drones, making them an excellent choice for businesses looking for a reliable and efficient drone.
