Unmanned Air Technologies (UAT) was founded in 2017. The main goal of the company is to develop practical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) for civil and defense markets and integrate them into our everyday life. To this purpose, we work to develop novel UAV concepts and at realize the company motto – Change the Future of Flight.
In order to respond to market demand for UAVs, we set ambitious goal to create a unique product with distinguished features. The first step towards our goal was the elaboration of the concept of VTOL hybrid UAV, with capability to: up to 24 hours flight time; carry a high importance payload of 5kg; make aerial survey with combined sensors (infrared, night vision etc.) and transmit live data to the ground stations and interested users.
After creating concept, we made preliminary design for UAV and continued with RDTE process. We used Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) for design optimization. After completing of the aforementioned stages, we achieved Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3.
The concept was approved, and the first funding of 1500 USD was received from Georgia’s Innovation and Technology Agency (GITA) under prototype grant program. We used the funding to build 1:3 scale fully functional model of UAV. During the six-month period we tested the model for aerodynamics, flight stability and safety.
After having promising results in 2019, we applied for GITA’s 100 000 GEL competition grants and were awarded as one of the winners by the Investment Committee composed by high level international Venture Investors. Prominent international industry experts judging the competition recognized our project as the top among 200 applications in the category of technological complexity.
After number of challenges caused by COVID-19 pandemic (work restrictions and social distancing, as well as delays in collecting required components and materials from abroad) and the limited budget of 30000 USD, our small but motivated team managed to complete manufacturing the full scale Mean Viable Product (MVP) by the end of 2020.
Among other challenges were the space for manufacturing and also, making 2-meter-long molds for the UAV. In first case, our team’s devoted friend was very helpful for giving us opportunity to manufacture our product in his private garage. In another case, our company received great support from FABLAB TECHPARK – they provided CNC machinery and 3D printing service for free. In the process we are very grateful for their contributions and special assistance.
At the current moment, we conducted several flight tests successfully and are getting ready to launch mass production of our final product. For this very reason, we are in active work to gain investments and find new partners with the same motivation to change the future of flight.