The Beagle is a new long-range drone with more than one application

Summary

When there are damages to energy infrastructure, such as electricity pylons or gas pipelines, expensive helicopters are frequently used to inspect them. Drones have begun to replace some of those inspections, but the flight-time for these can be limited. Now a new company has produced a drone with a very long range to fill this task, and, while the company demurred over any ‘dual-use’ application, it’s clear that it could be used in a civilian setting to inspect infrastructure damaged by warfare. Hamburg, Germany-based Beagle uses long-range drones to capture data about energy infrastructure. It’s now raised a €5 million Seed round led by Co-led by AENU (via partner Fabian Heilemann) and PT1 (via partner Nikolas Samios). Prior to this it had raised €1.9 million in pre-seed funding, plus €2 million in grants and subsidies. Co-founder Oliver Lichtenstein says he and his team spent five years developing what they dub a “computer with wings” that complies with strict EU airspace regulations for long-range flights, and with no personnel on site — the drone literally rises from its housing unaided. “Our customers pay us for the data by the kilometer of pipeline. We’re cashflow positive in Germany with the current team and operations,” he said over email. “We plan to use this venture funding to accelerate growth.” Here’s how it works: An operator sends geo data of their grid to Beagle and gets a quote based on the per-kilometer price for one or both of Beagle’s products (methane detection or hazard detection). Admittedly Beagle does have competitors including Intero, the Adlares CHARM helicopter (which detects methane emissions), as well as local helicopter or small airplane services. Plus, Nearmap (US) is similar in terms of business model. However, Beagle claims to have 75 times the resolution of satellites, is cheaper, has lower emissions than planes, and is permitted to fly long-range repeatedly. The ‘Fully EU’ (‘Made in Germany’) solution also means it also has full c...