HORUS® 2.0

An especially important feature of the new HORUS^® 2.0 is the absolute redundancy of its overall system, concerning both the mechanical failure of the motors and propellers – due, for example, to rough contact with walls or trees – and the failure of motor controllers, main electronics and batteries. This is realized, similar to manned aviation, through installing a second, identical control electronics unit that takes over in case of serious errors in the primary electronics unit. Should this situation occur, the user will be informed of it via a diagnosis message issued by the telemetry system. In any case, HORUS^® will remain maneuverable and stable in the air. This way, the payload (which is often quite valuable) will be flying with a maximum of safety and a minimum of risk.

The body of Horus^® 2.0 has been comprehensively redeveloped. The goal was to facilitate the manufacture of the copter's different varieties. With the new body, it is now possible to accommodate the clients' wishes without any additional development work. In addition to these improvements, the team succeeded in optimizing the platform's vibration characteristics. The propulsion units and the payload now transfer their forces to different beams within the construction, which leads to an improved vibration decoupling and, in turn, to especially steady camera work.

During the redevelopment process, a special focus was put on improving the cooling concept. While the power electronics in HORUS^® 1.0 were positioned directly in the airflow, HORUS^® 2.0 now has separate cooling elements that transport the heat to the outside of the body. This concept allowed an airtight and waterproof design. To put it more clearly: it is now possible to fly the drone in rain.

Due to its slender structure, the copter only offers a very small target surface for wind. This means that it is operable even in bad and windy weather. Due to the body's symmetrically shaped upper and lower sides, crosswinds will not cause any buoyancy that may lead to altitude fluctuations. This is proven in a direct comparison between HORUS^® 1.0 and HORUS^® 2.0.

In contrast to other multicopters, HORUS^® carries its payload (and also its batteries) in container modules. Using the corresponding clips, the modules can be attached to the frame in an easy, quick and safe way. This makes the conversion process easy and can be performed directly on site. The modules can be variably adjusted to ensure that the copter always has an ideal center of gravity, which has a positive influence on the controllability and efficiency of the overall system. The copter has two 30 cm-wide slots for container modules with a maximum length of 45 cm. The maximum total payload is 6500 g.

A number different modules for photo and video images have been built, including a module equipped with a stereo camera for 3D videos and a calibrated infrered camera. Additional modules are simply used as flexible containers for the batteries and a compact (Windows) PC that is able to perform image evaluation and object detection processes in real time during the flight. Further modules were commissioned and are owned by clients, such as the FIDAS Fly fine particle sensor, which was developed especially for HORUS^® and is owned by Palas.

The copter's high maximum payload and the large amount of available construction space facilitate the development of specialized modules for a large range of other applications (analysis of gases, environmental measuring campaigns, etc.).

The HORUS^® copters are available in different varieties. The octocopter edition featuring eight motors offers a high redundancy and carrying capacity. These characteristics make it an allrounder for photo and measurement applications. Also, this variety stays below the 5 kg limit (payload included), which facitlitates the obtainment of a flight permit (in Germany).

The dodecacopter featuring twelve motors was designed for higher payloads. This variety has the same physical dimensions as the octocopter, and can therefore be transported just as easily. The four extra propellers are located coaxially below the four corners to add additional boost.

On the other hand, HORUS^® is also available in a quadrocopter variety with only for motors. This variety is significantly smaller than the other two and even easier to stow and transport. Its payload is also lower but still sufficient for many applications.

In order to be ready for universal operation, the multicopter needs to be able to carry a wide range of measuring equipment. Its high payload and modular design concept guarantee its broad functionality.

• Camera modules
  • Gimbal with a maximum payload of 1.0 kg for smaller devices such as NEX or SLR cameras
  • Gimbal with a maximum payload of 3.5 kg for larger devices
• Live video streaming for immersion flights
• Stereo video module for 3D video footage
• Fine particle module for measuring campaigns in different strata of the atmosphere
• IR camera module with live image streaming
• Battery modules, freely repositionable for balancing the payload weight
  • Standard – room for one to two batteries
  • Large – room for up to three batteries