Floating through the air like a fusion of zeppelin and drone, the airships from FloFleet embody a new approach to aerial mobility. The young Italian company is made up of a team of engineers specialising in airship design and autonomous flight. Their shared mission is to make aerial inspection more sustainable, safe and efficient. With this vision, FloFleet aims to become a pioneer of a new generation of ‘service aircraft’, an innovative type of aircraft in which Faulhaber drive systems ensure the precise alignment of the propellers.
Seeing the world from above offers countless advantages; large areas can be analysed in the shortest possible time, and difficult-to-reach regions can be mapped with precision. This is where FloFleet’s airships come into play. Available in different sizes and performance classes, they can be individually equipped with sensors and measurement systems to ensure optimal readiness for any application.
Their tasks range from geophysical surveys in the oil and gas sector where highly precise gravimeters and magnetometers are used to mapping subsurface structures in the search for rare earth elements. They also monitor high-voltage lines, oil and gas pipelines and rail and road infrastructure to detect malfunctions, leaks or unauthorised interference at an early stage. Beyond that, the airships support precision agriculture, broadcasting and disaster relief; whether for soil analysis, live transmissions or search-and-rescue missions.
A hybrid design combining aerostatics and aerodynamics
The design principle of FloFleet’s airships combines the best of both worlds. Most of the lift is generated by the aerostatic force of the helium inside the hull, while the aerodynamic force created by the wing-like shape provides additional lift. This hybrid design enables exceptional stability and precision. It allows the airships to maintain a constant altitude and maneuvre reliably, even in windy conditions. At the same time, payload capacity can be flexibly adjusted by changing the angle of attack. A larger angle enables heavier loads, while a negative angle facilitates landing. The large surface area, ideal for mounting solar panels, further contributes to remarkable flight endurance.
Andrea Cecchi, chief executive officer of FloFleet, explains: “Because airships are sensitive to wind and have large dimensions, precision and controllability are crucial. From the very first prototypes, it was a challenge to find industrial solutions that combine precision, speed and low weight; weight being especially important in aviation.”
Stabilisation and control through integrated drive technology
Stabilising and orienting the propellers is particularly demanding. Eight thrusters must be controlled with exact precision at all times to maintain flight attitude or initiate course corrections. Requirements for reliability, energy efficiency and weight are exceptionally high. The motors must operate under all conditions, every thruster angle must be adjusted precisely and with minimal energy consumption, and the system’s weight must not reduce payload capacity. “The orientation of the thrusters is decisive, as it stabilises the airship and determines its flight path. The motors must be reliable, lightweight, and energy-efficient,” Cecchi emphasises. When searching for a suitable solution, it was also important that the system support CAN communication and integrate all components compactly into a single unit.
Ultimately, FloFleet chose Faulhaber. “The integrated motion controller was one of the main reasons we selected Faulhaber motors,” Cecchi continues. “It simplifies integration into the motor housing, protects both motor and driver, and the unified cabling increases overall system safety.” With Faulhaber motors, FloFleet succeeded in cutting energy consumption of the thrust-direction motors in half, reducing weight by 40%, and shrinking the system size by 60%. At the same time, closed-loop control and onboard diagnostics shorten integration time and enable predictive maintenance. Native support for industrial bus systems such as CAN or CANopen, along with EMC compatibility, simplifies certification and wiring. Preconfigured motion profiles also enable fast and reproducible responses, an essential advantage during critical flight maneuvres.
With its combination of visionary design, sustainable technology and precise drive engineering, FloFleet demonstrates that airships can be efficient, versatile and safe in the 21st century; and thanks to Faulhaber, every movement remains reliably under control.
For more information contact Horne Technologies,
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