Megadrone breaks record for lifting heaviest load

FPT Industrial and Forvola have broken the Guinness World Record for the heaviest payload lifted by a drone — a milestone they achieved during FPT Industrial’s Tech Day event in Italy on 23 November.

The theme of the Tech Day was ‘4.0 Powertrain Technologies’, and saw discussion of visions of technologies that are changing industry. It was thus an opportune occasion for the record attempt, given the potential Forvola megadrones have for spare parts delivery (even in remote places), as transport devices capable of giving engine assistance when needed and as tools to leverage precision farming activities.

With the help of its 16 propellers, Forvola’s megadrone lifted a box full of FPT Industrial spare parts weighing 101 kg to a height of almost 1.5 m for more than one minute and three seconds. The record had previously been held by the University of Oslo, whose drone lifted 61 kg to a height of 1 m for 37 seconds in 2015.

Forvola’s drone is claimed to be the world’s first customisable megadrone currently on the market, and can be altered in terms of size, configuration and accessories according to specific customer requirements. Described by Forvola as ‘a Jeep in the sky’, it has power of 10 to 20 kW, can carry weights up to 200 kg and can apparently fly for 30 minutes or more, depending on the payload. It can also be used in multiple situations, including rescue in dangerous areas, cargo handling in the maritime sector, to support firefighters or civilian protection organisations, to help ensure safety near shorelines and as a support on construction sites.

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