AERIX SYSTEMS

Aerix Systems develops and manufactures omnidirectional propulsion systems for drones, designed to enhance flight performance in challenging conditions. The company was founded in October 2020 by Hugo Mayounove and Clément Picaud, two mechatronics engineers who met during their studies at IUT in Limoges and later attended ENSIL-ENSCI. Their idea for a new propulsion system originated from observing the growing need for versatility and maneuverability in the drone market. They developed their project throughout their engineering studies, winning an innovation award from Pépite Nouvelle Aquitaine in 2020.

Based in Mérignac, France, Aerix Systems is supported by the Bordeaux Technowest technology park. The firm's core technology is a gyroscope-based omnidirectional propulsion system that allows drones to fly in any direction or orientation, including on their side or upside down. This provides hyper-maneuverability, high speed, and stability, even in high winds, enabling complex trajectories and close-to-ground flights. This capability makes the drones suitable for dual-use applications in both civil and military sectors, such as 360-degree inspections of infrastructure like offshore wind turbines, as well as defense and security missions in complex terrains.

Aerix Systems' business model includes direct sales of its proprietary propulsion systems and partnerships with drone manufacturers. The company also plans to offer after-sales service subscriptions, training, and continuous improvement based on flight data. The startup has secured funding from various sources, including a €1.6 million round in early 2024 from seed funds like BACS-Innov and Techno'Start, and business angel networks such as Défense Angels and INSEAD Angels, supplemented by financing from public and private partners. This funding is aimed at transitioning from a technological demonstrator to a client-ready prototype for testing with beta-users across industrial and security applications.

Keywords: omnidirectional drones, drone propulsion systems, aerial robotics, hyper-maneuverability, unmanned aerial vehicles, UAV, drone technology, defense drones, civil security drones, infrastructure inspection, gyroscope-based propulsion, aerospace engineering, mechatronics, dual-use technology, high-performance drones, weather-resistant drones, flight stability, robotics and drones, aerial vehicle manufacturing, complex environment navigation