{"id":1989,"date":"2026-07-02T10:12:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T08:12:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/?page_id=1989"},"modified":"2026-07-02T10:26:44","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T08:26:44","slug":"hepad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/ueber-uns\/hepad\/","title":{"rendered":"Project HEPAD"},"content":{"rendered":"
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project HEPAD<\/span><\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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High-efficiency transport flying drone (English). H<\/u><\/strong>igh E<\/u><\/strong>efficiency P<\/u><\/strong>ayload A<\/u><\/strong>rial D<\/u><\/strong>rone)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Project overview<\/span><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Project sponsor: Project Management J\u00fclich (PtJ),<\/p>

Funding providers: European Union and Ministry for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Protection and Energy of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NeueWege.IN.NRW)
Funding reference number: EFRE-20801850
Duration: 01.03.2026-29.02.2028<\/p>

Project partners:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>

  • Fraunhofer IPT\/Fraunhofer Innovation Platform<\/li>
  • MANUGY GmbH<\/li>
  • University of M\u00fcnster \u2013 MEET Battery Research Center<\/li>
  • PEM Motion GmbH<\/li>
  • Institute for Electrical Machines IEM RWTH Aachen<\/li>
  • University of Twente<\/li>
  • exabotix GmbH

    <\/li><\/ul>

    The project \u201eHEPAD \u2013 H<\/strong>igh E<\/strong>efficiency P<\/strong>ayload A<\/strong>rial D<\/strong>rone\u201c<\/em> The project aims to develop a highly innovative transport drone with significantly enhanced powertrain performance, specifically designed for inner-city and short-haul logistics tasks. A performance increase of over 50 % compared to conventional transport drones is targeted. Key innovations include a high-performance battery architecture with optimized cell design and an integrated battery management system (BMS). Powertrain efficiency is further enhanced through system-wide optimization of the interaction between the drone, electronics, and storage to maximize power density. This hardware is complemented by cloud-based algorithms for fleet management and data analysis, enabling seamless integration into existing logistics networks.<\/p>

    Through the synergistic optimization of these components, range, flight time, payload, and efficiency are significantly increased, while simultaneously reducing overall weight and ensuring robust operational reliability. Implementation follows a three-phase iterative process, ranging from defining the target parameters and developing the core innovations in detail to building a complete demonstrator and validating it in flight tests. Beyond technological advancement, \u201eHEPAD\u201c<\/em> as a strategic flagship project that strengthens regional value creation in North Rhine-Westphalia and minimizes technological dependence on non-European manufacturers. The resulting transfer potential also promotes innovation in related sectors such as the transport and automotive industries, robotics, and industrial energy systems.<\/p>

    \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>

    Work plan<\/strong><\/p>

    AP1: Requirements Analysis<\/strong><\/p>

    The first work package serves to establish the technical and organizational foundations for the entire project. During a kick-off workshop, existing knowledge about current technologies and market conditions will be gathered and analyzed. In parallel, the partners will conduct a use-case analysis to define the requirements and application scenarios for a highly efficient drone. This includes aspects such as payload capacity, range, and energy consumption.<\/p>

    AP2: Concept Development<\/strong><\/p>

    In this phase, the foundation for the technical implementation is laid. Based on the results from AP1, the project partners develop a comprehensive system architecture for the drone and its optimized components. Particular focus is placed on the integration of the high-performance battery, the innovative electric motor, and the new battery management system. Each of these components is developed in detail and theoretically validated. Finally, a prototype design is created that fully meets all system requirements.<\/p>

    AP3: Component Production<\/strong><\/p>

    This work package includes the development and manufacturing of the core technologies:<\/p>

    • Battery and BMS:
      A high-performance battery is being manufactured using optimized materials for maximum energy density and low weight. In addition, a customized battery management system is being developed that increases battery efficiency and enables more accurate condition analyses.<\/li>
    • Electric motor:
      The production of an innovative electric motor through a holistic systems approach. Instead of purely component-related optimization (e.g., copper fill factor), the interactions between the motor, power electronics, and energy storage are integrated to maximize the system power density. The application of numerical field calculations and advanced control strategies ensures increased efficiency and performance.<\/li>
    • Cloud system:
      The development of a server-based data management infrastructure enables real-time transmissions for drone fleet management as well as analyses of energy consumption and operational safety.

      <\/li><\/ul>

      AP4: Design and Prototype Testing<\/strong><\/p>

      In the fourth work package, the first demonstrator will be assembled and tested. The company exabotix will provide the basic drone frame, which will be fitted with the components developed in AP3. After integration, ground tests will be conducted to verify the functionality of the components in combination. Subsequently, the capabilities of the HEPAD prototype will be evaluated in realistic flight tests, comparing its performance to that of a reference drone.<\/p>

      AP5: Techno-ecological support<\/strong><\/p>

      Alongside the technological developments, a comprehensive market, technology, and life cycle analysis is being conducted. This analysis assesses the environmental benefits of reduced emissions and the economic potential, for example, for industrial manufacturing. The goal is to promote regional value chains and ensure the sustainability of the developed core technologies.<\/p>

      AP6: Result utilization<\/strong><\/p>

      At the end of the project, the results will be utilized. A key focus will be on developing business models and licensing options. Furthermore, the potential applications of the individual innovations beyond the drone sector, for example in the areas of electromobility and high-performance applications, will be examined. Each system will be analyzed for its market readiness, and subsequently, a roadmap for industrialization will be created.<\/p>

      AP7: Public Relations and Management<\/strong><\/p>

      The final work package involves the administrative and organizational management of the project. This includes regular project meetings, updates, and public relations activities. The project results will be presented to the public at trade fairs and industry events to attract potential investors and interested parties from the logistics and technology sectors.<\/p>

      Utilization of results<\/strong><\/p>

      The results of the project \u201eHEPAD<\/em>\u201coffer comprehensive application opportunities for both the logistics and transport sector as well as other industrial sectors. The central focus is the market launch of the transport drone as a complete system, complemented by the separate marketing of high-performance individual components. The developed high-performance batteries are used in electromobility and stationary energy storage systems, while the efficient electric motors are optimized for the transport, automotive, and aviation industries. A scalable battery management system also supports large-scale energy projects.\u201d.<\/p>

      Sustainability is a core aspect, achieved through integrated recycling concepts and local production processes that, thanks to technological expertise, also foster the creation of spin-off companies. A fully functional demonstrator and detailed industrialization roadmaps form the foundation for potential series production. These innovations strengthen North Rhine-Westphalia's international position as a technology hub for sustainable mobility. This process is supported by collaborations with the Fraunhofer FFB, which is particularly focused on advancing environmentally friendly process technologies for battery cell production and material reuse in line with the principles of a circular economy.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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      Projekt HEPAD Hocheffizienz Transport Flugdrohne (engl. High Efficiency Payload Arial Drone) Projekt\u00fcbersicht Projekttr\u00e4ger: Projekttr\u00e4ger J\u00fclich (PtJ), F\u00f6rdermittelgeber: Europ\u00e4ische Union und Ministerium f\u00fcr Wirtschaft, Industrie, Klimaschutz und Energie des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":409,"menu_order":3,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1989","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1989","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1989"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1989\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2000,"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1989\/revisions\/2000"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/409"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/exabotix.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1989"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}