HUUVER · Project

Hybrid Drone That Flies and Drives for Patrol, Rescue, and Logistics

transportPilotedTRL 7

Imagine a drone that doesn't just fly — it also drives on the ground like a small rover. When it lands, it keeps going on wheels, which means it covers way more distance without running out of battery. It uses Europe's Galileo satellite system for centimeter-accurate positioning, so it always knows exactly where it is. The team built a working prototype and tested it with real end users for jobs like search and rescue, security patrols, and moving goods around industrial sites.

By the numbers

consortium partners across 5 countries

86%

industry partners in consortium

SME partners including coordinator

prototype iterations (first and final)

total project deliverables completed

The business problem

What needed solving

Companies running patrol, search and rescue, or logistics operations across large areas face a fundamental limitation: flying drones have short battery life and ground robots can't cross obstacles. Operators must choose between aerial range and ground endurance, often deploying separate systems that multiply costs and complexity. There is no single compact platform that seamlessly switches between flying and driving to maximize coverage while minimizing downtime.

The solution

What was built

The project built a hybrid drone that combines flying (UAV) and driving (UGV) capabilities in one compact platform, fully integrated with Galileo satellite navigation for precise and authenticated positioning. Two prototype iterations were completed — a first hardware assembly and a consolidated fully functional final prototype — along with a mission management system and mobile app for end-user control.

Audience

Who needs this

Private security companies patrolling large perimeters (industrial parks, borders, critical infrastructure)Search and rescue organizations needing extended-range autonomous search capabilityPort and logistics operators requiring flexible autonomous transport across complex terrainEnergy companies inspecting pipelines, solar farms, or wind turbine sitesDefense and border agencies needing persistent surveillance with terrain adaptability

Business applications

Who can put this to work

Security and surveillance

mid-size

Target: Private security firms managing large perimeters

If you are a security company patrolling large industrial parks, warehouses, or border zones — this project built a hybrid drone that flies to a location and then drives along the ground for extended monitoring. It uses Galileo satellite navigation for precise positioning, so it can autonomously follow patrol routes without GPS drift. The dual air-ground capability means one device replaces separate aerial and ground patrol units.

Emergency services and search & rescue

any

Target: Civil protection agencies and disaster response organizations

If you are a search and rescue organization that struggles with drone flight-time limits during emergencies — this project developed a drone that lands and continues searching on wheels when battery gets low for flying. It was specifically designed and tested for search and rescue missions. The Galileo-based authentication protects against signal spoofing, which is critical when operating in disaster or conflict zones.

Industrial logistics and warehousing

enterprise

Target: Logistics operators at ports, factories, or large distribution centers

If you run logistics operations across large sites like ports or factory campuses and need flexible autonomous transport — this project created a compact platform that flies over obstacles and drives on flat surfaces to move items efficiently. The integrated mission planning system and mobile app let operators dispatch missions on demand. The 7-partner consortium across 5 countries built and tested the platform with end users during the project.

Frequently asked

Quick answers

What would a HUUVER unit cost to acquire or license?

The project data does not include pricing information. As a prototype from an Innovation Action with 5 SME partners including the coordinator CERVI ROBOTICS, commercial pricing would need to be discussed directly with the consortium. Given the specialized Galileo integration, expect pricing above standard commercial drones.

Can this scale to fleet operations across multiple sites?

The system includes a core management system with mission planning, navigation, guidance, and control, plus a mobile app for on-demand mission dispatch. This architecture suggests fleet-scale operations were considered in the design. However, the project delivered 2 prototype units — scaling to production volumes would require further manufacturing investment.

Who owns the intellectual property and how can we license it?

The project explicitly mentions a patented technical solution for the hybrid flying-driving propulsion system. The coordinator CERVI ROBOTICS (Poland) likely holds or co-holds the patent. Licensing terms would need to be negotiated directly with the consortium partners.

Has this been tested in real operating conditions?

Yes. The project objective states the solution was tested by end users during the project. Two demo deliverables confirm a first prototype and a consolidated fully functional final prototype were built and demonstrated. The Innovation Action funding scheme (IA) requires technology validation in near-operational environments.

How does this integrate with existing drone fleet management systems?

The HUUVER system includes its own core management system with mission planning, navigation, guidance, and control features. It also provides a mobile application for mission demand and launch control. Integration with third-party fleet systems would likely require custom API work with the development team.

What regulations apply to operating a hybrid UAV-UGV?

The platform falls under EU drone regulations (EASA) for its flying mode and potentially separate rules for autonomous ground vehicles. The Galileo authentication service integration may help meet future EU requirements for drone identification and tracking. Operators would need to verify compliance in their specific national jurisdiction.

Is there ongoing technical support or maintenance available?

The project ended in January 2022. CERVI ROBOTICS, the Polish SME coordinator, would be the primary contact for support and continued development. With 6 industry partners in the consortium, multiple companies have the technical knowledge to provide support services.

Consortium

Who built it

The HUUVER consortium is heavily industry-driven: 6 out of 7 partners are companies (86%), with 5 being SMEs. This is a strong signal for commercialization intent — these are not academics writing papers, they are businesses building a product. The coordinator CERVI ROBOTICS is a Polish SME specializing in robotics, which means the IP sits with a company motivated to bring it to market. The consortium spans 5 countries (Austria, Czech Republic, Spain, Finland, Poland), giving access to diverse European markets. Only 1 university partner suggests the heavy lifting was engineering and integration, not basic research. For a buyer, this means the technology was built by people who understand commercial constraints, not just lab conditions.

CERVI ROBOTICSCoordinator · PL
EVERIS AEROESPACIAL Y DEFENSA SLparticipant · ES
BRIMATECH SERVICES GMBHparticipant · AT
LAPPEENRANNAN-LAHDEN TEKNILLINEN YLIOPISTO LUTparticipant · FI

How to reach the team

CERVI ROBOTICS (Poland) — a robotics SME that coordinated the 7-partner consortium. Contact through their company website or via SciTransfer for a facilitated introduction.

Order a report on this consortium See CERVI ROBOTICS profile →

Next steps

Talk to the team behind this work.

Want to explore licensing the HUUVER hybrid drone platform or arranging a demo? SciTransfer can connect you directly with the development team and help structure the conversation around your specific use case.

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