HectoDrone is a Danish company that builds advanced drones using a special hybrid engine powered by both gasoline and electricity. This design allows their drones to fly for up to 10 hours, carry heavy loads (up to 50 kg), and perform well even in very cold environments where traditional electric drones fail. Their universal platform supports autonomous missions across logistics, agriculture, surveillance, offshore operations, and special payload deployments, with features like automatic docking and refuelling.

Drone operation in remote areas

To make their drones work in remote and isolated areas, HectoDrone uses space technologies. They rely on Satellite Communication (SatCom) when there is no mobile network available and use GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite Systems) for accurate positioning. This allows the drones to fly safely and independently in rural areas, over the sea, or in other isolated locations.  

HectoDrone’s technology offers important benefits for industries that need to work in remote, difficult, or large areas. Their drones can fly long distances, carry heavy equipment, and operate on their own. This makes tasks like delivering goods, monitoring farmland, or inspecting offshore sites safer, faster, and less expensive compared to traditional methods.

By using satellite communication and precise satellite-based positioning (GNSS), the drones can work even where there is no mobile signal. This creates new opportunities for industries such as agriculture, logistics, energy, and emergency services to improve their operations in places that were previously hard to reach.

Curious how space data can elevate your business?

HectoDrone shows how space technology can improve conventional drones by using satellite communication and GNSS for advanced drone operations in remote areas. With support from ESA Kick-Start and incubation at ESA BIC Denmark, they improved how their drones use satellite communication to stay connected.

Now preparing for a demonstration project, HectoDrone highlights how space can benefit sectors like logistics and agriculture. ESA BIC and ESA Technology Brokers can help other companies follow this path by offering support to turn space-based ideas into practical tools for industry.