The Airboxer, a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAV, fills a unique niche between traditional electric drones and larger unmanned helicopters, as reported by Seatrade Maritime.
Piracy prevention
High Eye’s CEO, Joost De Ruiter, revealed at the LIMA 23 exhibition that their newly developed airboxer drone is specifically designed for maritime applications. Unlike most electric drones with a maximum endurance of 40 minutes, the airboxer can operate for up to three to four hours. Despite its long endurance, the airboxer is significantly smaller and lighter than conventional unmanned helicopters weighing around 150-200 kg. The drone has garnered interest from coastguards, commercial shipping, and offshore industries. Oil tanker operators, in particular, have shown interest in utilising the airboxer for piracy prevention, enabling them to detect and avoid potential threats.
Commercial shipping
The Airboxer UAV, designed by High Eye, offers a coverage radius of up to 25km from a vessel and operates silently at the height of 800-1,000 meters. Weighing only 32kg, it can be easily stored and maintained on board without requiring special storage arrangements. Joost De Ruiter, the CEO of High Eye, has experience in the commercial shipping industry and is a shareholder and non-executive director in Bermuda International Shipping. Additionally, the offshore wind sector has shown interest in utilizing the Airboxer for turbine inspections, enabling efficient and safer inspections compared to manual methods.
The Airboxer by High Eye has received its initial orders from various organizations. An American institution intends to utilize the drone for ocean research purposes, while Aalborg University in Denmark plans to incorporate it into its drone centre.
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Source: Seatrade Maritime
