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Anyone walking through the trade fair and looking at the usual drone stands will quickly recognise a familiar pattern: compact multicopters, short flight times, a clear focus on leisure and consumers. This makes the moment when you stand in front of a copter that breaks with this image all the more striking.
The drone presented here stands out not only because of its sheer size, but also because of a technical concept that goes far beyond what one would expect in the toy industry. Even at first glance, it is clear that this is not a product for spontaneous flight experiments, but a working tool with a clearly defined purpose. At its heart is a multicopter with a frame measuring around one metre twenty in diameter. This dimension alone shifts our perception. Instead of lightweight construction and minimalism, stability dominates. The copter appears massive, technical, almost industrial. This impression perfectly matches its function.
The central feature of this system is its hybrid drive. Unlike classic drones, which rely exclusively on rechargeable batteries, this multicopter works with a combination of battery and integrated generator. A small combustion engine with a displacement of around 32 cubic centimetres generates energy during flight and continuously supplies the battery with power. This results in a decisive advantage: flight time.
Instead of the usual twenty to thirty minutes, this copter can stay in the air for more than two hours. For many professional applications, this is precisely the decisive factor. Long operating times, large areas and complex inspection tasks can thus be carried out without constant landings. Despite weighing around eighteen kilograms, the copter remains stable in the air because it is not designed for high payloads, but only carries itself, the generator and a camera system.
The question of the area of application immediately arises. Such a system is not intended for aerial photography as a hobby. Rather, it is aimed at professional applications. Inspections of solar power systems, high-voltage power lines or industrial plants are among the typical scenarios. The long flight time also plays a central role in the chemical industry and in thermal analyses. The copter can be equipped with various camera systems, including high-resolution 4K cameras with powerful optical zoom. A thirtyfold optical zoom makes it possible to capture details from a safe distance without having to fly the drone close to critical structures. Thermal imaging cameras are also used, for example to analyse material behaviour or detect heat loss.
Given these characteristics, its appearance at a toy fair seems contradictory at first glance. The manufacturer itself does not describe the system as a main product for this environment, but rather as a deliberately used eye-catcher. The large drone attracts attention to the stand and creates opportunities for conversation. Only in a second step are the more compact models shown, which are more oriented towards the consumer sector. This strategy works. The contrast between the large hybrid copter and the smaller, foldable drones illustrates the technological range. At the same time, it becomes clear that the boundaries between toys, technical products and professional tools are becoming increasingly blurred.
In addition to the large multicopter, smaller models are also presented, which are priced in the higher three-digit range. These drones are aimed at ambitious users who expect more than simple control. Folding mechanisms, collision avoidance and high-quality cameras are standard features here. Sensors are a central element of modern systems. Cameras and sensors detect obstacles, stop the copter in time or initiate evasive manoeuvres. Particularly interesting is the ability to fly stably even without GPS. Using so-called optical flow systems, a downward-facing camera analyses the movement of the ground. This allows the drone to maintain its position, even indoors or in areas without a satellite signal. This technology opens up new applications, for example in halls or complex indoor structures. At the same time, it shows how rapidly drone technology has developed in a short period of time.
The Walkera brand operates precisely in this area of tension. On the one hand, there are products for ambitious private users, and on the other, systems that are clearly tailored to professional applications. The large hybrid multicopter acts as a technical flagship. It shows what is possible when flight time, stability and sensor technology are consistently coordinated. The systems presented make it clear that drones have long been more than just flying cameras for leisure photography. They have become tools whose use is based on clear requirements. Whether for inspection, analysis or surveillance, endurance, precision and reliability are crucial.
The discussion also makes it clear that development is not complete. Improvements in battery life, camera technology and software are considered a given. In addition, there are approaches from gamification and augmented reality that could enable new control and application concepts. The specific steps that will follow remain open, but the direction is clear: more autonomy, better image quality and longer operating times. This is precisely why the appearance of these drones at a toy fair seems less strange than it might initially appear. The fair is becoming a stage for technological developments that originated in the world of play but have long since found their way into professional fields.
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