14 November, 2024- High price tags and short flight durations are commonplace in the crowded field of high-tech drones. Modovolo is a fresh gamer who is making waves. Step inside the Modovolo elevator. The design of this drone is creatively modular. It also resembles a bicycle wheel quite a bit. The Lift might be the revolution the industry has long been waiting for. The Lift, still in development, will push the limits of flight time, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability. We had a conversation with Justin Call, Modovolo’s CEO and co-founder. We wanted to learn more about the Lift’s revolutionary idea.
With obvious excitement, Call starts, “Look at the Lift Pod”. I can understand your thought process because it resembles a bicycle wheel. And you’re correct. It is a straightforward analogy. The ramifications, however, are anything but commonplace. It is common to ignore the bicycle wheel. It’s sturdy, lightweight, and a model of efficiency. It is these attributes that Modovolo has capitalized on. They have created something completely fresh.
The Lift: Where Design Meets Innovation
Modovolo has reinvented the drone by drawing inspiration from the strength and simplicity of a bicycle wheel. They have lost weight without compromising their strength. The Lift is over 50% lighter than more conventional models, like the DJI Matrice 300, weighing only 2.5 pounds empty and 7.6 pounds with batteries. However, weight isn’t the only factor. The Lift’s true strength, as Call notes, is in its design. It optimizes performance and efficiency.
Call says, “The details are where the magic is”. Consider the Hub as an example. They designed the propeller blades to rotate at an absurdly low RPM. However, the motor? It rotates quickly. Because of this, it is significantly more effective than anything else available.
A crucial component of the puzzle is the Rim. It mimics the efficiency of jet engines by acting as a ducted fan. Additionally, it serves as the Lift’s modular pod connecting point. Propeller blades are a proprietary product. Of all the drones on the market right now, they can provide the greatest thrust. Nevertheless, they continue to outperform the competitors in terms of efficiency. What about the spokes? They provide very weightless stiffness to the structure.
What was the outcome? In a single battery, the drone may fly for up to two hours. That is essentially unprecedented in the commercial drone industry.
Modular, Adaptable, Limitless
The Modovolo Lift’s modular design is what really makes it unique. “The configurations are literally endless”, Call explains. Modovolo initially decided on three main configurations: Octo, Hex, and Quad. They customize every configuration for Ardupilot’s current flight modes. Yet, as Call points out, the Lift will only get more configurable due to Modovolo’s commitment in software development. It will eventually be able to accommodate any mission’s unique requirements.
However, even the most inventive designs have problems. The inflexible structural elements of the early prototypes were too hefty. When Arion, the Chief Technology Officer at Modovolo, took a chance, the innovation occurred. He substituted spokes for the hefty pieces, which at first looked illogical. Call chuckles and acknowledges that threading the spokes was a real pain in the ass. “It took ages”. This choice, however, turned out to be crucial. It produced a lightweight framework that was precisely in line with the overall design objectives of the Lift.
Affordability Without Compromise
At a price of just $6,000, the Modovolo Lift undercuts many competitors. This includes the high-end DJI Matrice 300, by a significant margin. How does Modovolo keep costs so low? According to Call, it’s all about simplicity and smart design. The bicycle wheel-inspired structure is rigid, strong, and light. It doesn’t require expensive, exotic materials. And because the design is simple, they’ve drastically cut down on manufacturing costs.
By keeping the price affordable, Modovolo hopes to democratize drone technology. They want to make it accessible to a broad range of industries and use cases. “We’ve created a versatile drone that could work in nearly any industry”, says Call. “Whether in defense, agriculture, or construction, the Lift handles it all”.
Applications Across Industries: From Defense To Agriculture
Modovolo has its sights set on three core industries for the Lift’s initial applications. These are Defense, Agriculture, and Construction.
- Defense: Drones with long flying periods and low costs are highly desired by the defense industry. According to Call, Modovolo has already established significant alliances with defense contractors. They are investigating the potential uses of the Lift in electronic warfare. He believes the Department of Defense is looking for long-lasting, low-cost platforms. That’s precisely what the Lift does.
- Agriculture: The Lift’s adaptability is crucial in the agriculture industry. From surveying to spraying, the drone can do it all. At the moment, Modovolo is focusing on specialized applications. The dispersal of pollen is one instance. This is where the Lift’s special arrangement might shine.
- Commercial Use: Another important sector is the construction sector. This industry accounts for a large portion of Modovolo’s pre-orders. The Lift’s modular architecture makes it perfect for LiDAR and photogrammetry applications. “We created a Utility Pod that mounts anywhere”, Call says. This makes it simple for users to switch out payloads as needed.
The Road Ahead: Testing, Innovation, And New Horizons
Modovolo is currently seeking test pilots as the Lift moves forward from prototype to commercialization. They are seeking pilots that have worked with large commercial drones and Ardupilot. These pilots will improve the model. According to Call, we are seeking pilots who can assist us in improving the system. They will gather insightful input and offer practical facts to direct the last phases of development.
Call discusses future ideas for a Lift variation that is VTOL (Vertical Takeoff and Landing). This version will preserve the Lift’s original modularity. Additionally, it will provide you the freedom of vertical flying. However, that is not all. Modovolo is developing a new phone modeled after a game controller. The phone will be modular, reasonably priced, and NDAA-compliant.
Trials And Triumphs: The Challenges Of Innovation
There have been challenges involved in developing a drone such as the Modovolo Lift. “Tuning the system was a nightmare”, said Call. Because of the Lift’s unique architecture, they were unable to use normal tuning techniques. The team had to create their own procedure as a result. It took months to complete the laborious task.
One of their early prototypes melted in the summer heat, which was another early setback. Call laughs as he remembers, “We tested the drone in a ‘top-secret’ location”. “By the time we got there, it had completely melted”. It turns out that temperatures above 85 degrees were too high for the plastic to withstand. These kinds of setbacks have strengthened the Modovolo team. They’re more committed to moving forward.
A Vision For The Future
The Modovolo Lift is still in its final stages of development, but its potential is already clear. Its modular design, extended flying time, and affordable price make it a major breakthrough in the commercial drone industry. As Modovolo keeps refining its design and the Lift takes on its final form, one thing is certain: drone technology will never be the same.
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