Development of Enhanced Flight Control Systems for Heavy-Duty Firefighting Drones

HOPPERSUP

Duration

1 year

Website

http://bit.ly/4eTfAsq

Partners

1 Partner

Budget

€100K

Description

DRONE HOPPER is a Spanish technological start-up founded in 2015, focused on designing, producing, and operating drones (UAVs) specialized in firefighting. Traditional aerial firefighting methods using helicopters and hydroplanes pose operational risks and limitations, particularly during night operations. DRONE HOPPER’s innovation overcomes these constraints by offering unmanned, remotely piloted aircraft equipped to transport large water volumes and spray them over wide areas through a patented liquid dispersion system.

The company has already developed and validated UAV platforms capable of lifting up to 150 liters. However, to scale the payload capacity up to 600 liters, it aims to strengthen its flight control system to ensure stability, safety, and operational reliability under challenging environmental conditions. This project specifically supports the recruitment of a PhD-level Innovation Associate, who will lead the development and implementation of advanced stabilization and control algorithms for heavy-payload rotary-wing UAVs.

The Associate will work directly under the supervision of the CTO and play a pivotal role in scaling the UAV’s operational performance, accelerating the company’s growth in the aerial firefighting market.

MATICAL’s role

Proposal writing | Trainings

Programme / Type

Horizon Europe | EIC Pilot | Innovation Associate Scheme

Area

Aerial robotics, UAV systems, fire prevention, flight control engineering

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The process

Description

MATICAL’s role

Proposal writing | Trainings

Programme / Type

Horizon Europe | EIC Pilot | Innovation Associate Scheme

Area

Aerial robotics, UAV systems, fire prevention, flight control engineering

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