Drone Group

Fast, efficient, results-oriented development

Since 2014, the Fribourg School of Engineering and Architecture has been working intensively in the drone field. First maritime (HYDROcontest) and terrestrial (SwissMoves, loxo) then aerial, implementing dynamic, high-performance and results oriented working methods to meet real needs and expectations.

The Drone Group develops tools aimed at revolutionizing the design process by providing a realistic virtual environment and test facilities for simulating, testing and optimizing various drone configurations for all kinds of missions, accelerating development and minimizing costs and risks.

Since its creation on June 1, 2024, the Drone Group has developed, manufactured and flown some ten UAVs, including rotary-wing, fixed-wing (delta-canard and reverse boom), solid-engine rockets and quadcopters capable of speeds exceeding 500km/h, including one developed by an HES Master student at 557.6km/h. This performance, certified by the Guinness World Records™, makes this drone the fastest quadcopter on earth. 

  • Autonomous flight
  • Multi-copter
  • VTOL aircraft
  • Rockets
  • Speed record 

Having demonstrated its ability to work on innovative aerodynes and develop them rapidly from operational concept through to flight testing, the research group is now focusing on two areas:

  • The development process integrating systemic tools and AI, aimed at speeding up the process while integrating safety aspects right from the preliminary phases of the project.
  • Embedding key new technologies such as AI, innovative motorization and power supply systems.

Drawing on its many years of experience in the development of cutting-edge technologies, the research group is specifically interested in new-generation UAVs and UAV systems enabling long range, high speed, reliability and flight safety, as well as the key technologies opening the doors to these new performances.

Skills of the Drone Group

Comprising a small interdisciplinary team, the Drone Group draws on a very wide network of skills available not only within HEIA-FR but also across all the Universities of Applied Science of Western Switzerland (HES-SO). It has access to major test facilities (wind tunnels, engine test benches, various flight test sites, etc.) and extensive computing power.

  • CAX (CAD, FEA)
  • Rapid prototyping
    3D printing of synthetic materials and composites
  • Simulation
    Hardware in the loop
    Software in the loop
  • Artificial intelligence
    Embedded AI
    Project management and development tools
  • Autonomous driving of certified vehicles
  • Visual Navigation System
  • Systems engineering
  • Composite manufacturing
  • Aerodynamics (CFD, Wind tunnel)
  • Robotics
  • Electronics
    Powertrains (electric, hydrogen, synthetic fuels, kerosene)
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Services of the Drone Group

The Drone Group offers a service to develop a tailor-made solution to a real problem, on the scale of a system or the individual parts and components of a drone. Based on the principle of concept of operations (CONOPS) and advanced project management methods, the development process aims to involve all project stakeholders - users, designers and regulators - in the problem, and to work together rapidly to find appropriate, optimized responses to the challenges identified and posed.

  • Custom development of UAS solutions including an operational prototype
  • Specific developments
  • Mechanical subsystems
  • Propellers/motors/ESC
  • Non-GPS navigation systems
  • Target recognition
  • Flight controller
  • Digital tools
  • Legislation and certification Expertise
  • Test flights
  • Performance evaluation
  • Pilot training
  • Purchasing / consulting 

Fields of application

The Drone Group of the HEIA-FR is the ideal partner for your UAV needs:

  • Surveillance
  • Rescue
  • Defense
  • Interception
  • Logistics
  • Telecom relay + multi-modal health logistics
  • Detection
  • Drone control 
1 June 2024