Last month, Hexadrone SAS unveiled its first serial drone, the Tundra, a multi-functional, modular drone that will be made in a factory under construction in France. The Tundra uses miniature Fischer UltiMate and Fischer MiniMax connectivity systems that can withstand the harsh environments the drone may need to operate in, said the company.
Saint-Didier-en-Velay, France-based Hexadrone has specialized since 2014 in mechatronics, electronics, and software for civilian and military drones. It said it has an online shop with more than 3,000 references of recognized ready-to-fly (RTF) drone brands and OEM products.
Since 2016, the company has been developing the Tundra, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed as a development hub for integrators. The tool-carrying drone can be configured to suit specific needs and flight missions, as well as new technological developments, said Hexadrone. Tundra is also sealed so it can operate in harsh conditions.
Saint-Prex, Switzerland-based Fischer Connectors has designed, manufactured, and distributed rugged connectors and cable assemblies since 1954 to help customers around the world produce reliable, high-performance electronic devices. The company said its connectivity products are suitable for defense and security, medical, industrial, instrumentation, audio-visual, transportation, and energy applications. The Fischer Connectors Group has cable assembly sites, local subsidiaries, and a network of distributors around the world.
Tundra modules designed for adaptability
The result of more than three years of development, the Tundra is the first French modular, multi-rotor drone, said Hexadrone. Designed using an open innovation logic, the beta version of the collaborative tool carrier won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award in 2018.
The UAV is equipped with numerous interfaces that allow the integration of new or existing accessories, sensors, and other modules. This enables the Tundra to be customized and adapt to rapid changes in the state of the art, avoiding hardware obsolescence, Hexadrone claimed. The drone's arms are designed to be interchangeable and easy to remove, it said.
Users can choose from three different models, depending on the various missions and flight scenarios planned. With the most durable arms, the Tundra can carry a payload of up to 4 kg (8.81 lb.) for a flight time of 30 minutes.
The serial production of the Tundra at the new factory is the logical next step in meeting market needs, according to Alexandre Labesse, founder and chairman of Hexadrone.
“With this multifunctional, modular tool carrier, our customers are opening up the field of possibilities in their collaborative projects and lowering their development costs when they adapt the drone to users’ new needs and new technologies on the market,” he stated. “This is not possible with most of today's drones, which are designed for a single type of use and quickly become obsolete due to rapid technological advances. In response to obsolescence, we’ve opted for adaptability and durability.”
The Tundra has a robust design to allow for intensive use in the field, said Hexadrone. In addition, it is designed for easy transport and assembly, with landing gear that can be fitted and the arms that can be screwed on in less than a minute.
Two miniature connectors for intensive use
To fulfill the drone's technical requirements for modularity, reliability, durability, ruggedness, and ease of use, Hexadrone chose Fischer Connectors' push-pull connectivity systems. The Tundra comes equipped with a rugged Fischer UltiMate USB 2.0 connector that the companies said is waterproof and reliable in all conditions.
The standard interfaces can accommodate external modules including Fischer MiniMax connectors and cabling, said Hexadrone. This can optimize the high-density miniaturization of onboard electronics, such as a companion computer, a storage module, a security key, or a lidar for remote-sensing missions using lasers.
“We’ve been supporting the Tundra's innovations from the outset,” said Guy Lacroix, director of Fischer Connectors France. “Our experts are gratified to have been able to see the project through to serial production with suitable connectivity solutions.”
“Since connectivity lies at the heart of this rugged UAV, our high-performance solutions proposed in this modular offering cover the whole range of integrators’ technical requirements in terms of robustness and reliability, miniaturization, sealing up to IP68, and data transmission,” he said.
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