Connectivity takes to the skies

RESULTING FROM more than three years of development, the Tundra is the first French modular, multi-rotor drone. Designed in Hexadrone's workshops in the Haute-Loire in an open innovation logic, this collaborative tool carrier, in its beta version, won the prestigious Red Dot Design Award in 2018.

Unveiled on April 30, 2021 in its serial version, the Tundra is a unique 100% modular, multifunctional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), designed and manufactured as a development hub for integrators. The body is equipped with numerous interfaces that allow the integration of accessories, sensors and other modules already available on the market, or the development of new ones. This enables the Tundra to adapt to custom features and rapid changes in the state of the art, which also helps it combat obsolescence.

Interchangeable arms

The drone's arms are interchangeable and easy to remove. The user can choose from three different types, depending on the various missions and flight scenarios planned. With the most durable arms, the Tundra can carry a payload of up to 4kg for a flight time of 30 minutes – a high performance in the world of multirotor drones.

The serial production of the Tundra, made possible thanks to the construction of an industrial building underway in Saint Ferréol d'Auroure in the Haute-Loire, is the logical next step in this drone’s development that meets the market needs analysed by Alexandre Labesse, Hexadrone’s Chairman and Founder.

"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. 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," says Labesse.

Robust design

The Tundra’s durability is ensured through a robust design that allows for intensive use in the field. The drone is waterproof and can cope with harsh conditions. Moreover, transportation and assembly in the field are easy, as the landing gear can be fitted and the arms screwed on in less than a minute.

To fulfill the drone's technical requirements for modularity, reliability, durability, ruggedness and ease of use, Hexadrone chose Fischer Connectors' high-performance, ultra-robust, push-pull connectivity solutions. The Tundra comes equipped with a rugged Fischer UltiMate USB 2.0 connector that is waterproof and reliable in all conditions.

The standard interfaces can accommodate external modules linked, among others, by Fischer MiniMax connectors and cabling, which optimise the high-density miniaturisation of on-board electronics, such as a companion computer, a storage module, a security key or a lidar that the Tundra can be fitted with for certain aerial remote-sensing missions using lasers.

www.fischerconnectors.com/uk