Vololand: Integrated Drone Service Solutions Across All Fields

Vololand: A Smart Drone Solution Specialist

Developing drone stations, a core infrastructure supporting drone operations

Vololand is a smart drone solutions company that self-develops core drone components like flight controllers and avionic parts. Their main products are drone stations and tethering systems. The company’s drone station aims for an unmanned system, serving as a key infrastructure to support industrial drone operations. Vololand primarily focuses on special-purpose drones for commercial, industrial, military, and control applications. Utilizing these stations is essential for operating drones conveniently and safely without direct human piloting. The company’s rechargeable drone stations serve as both storage and charging hubs. Drones stored within can automatically launch at scheduled times, perform their missions, and then return for autonomous recharging, ready for their next deployment.

However, given the relatively long charging times for drones, situations like a wildfire or a rescue operation for an injured person often require the operation of multiple drones. This system allows multiple drones to operate, taking turns to monitor a situation. Instead of waiting for a charge, these drones utilize exchangeable batteries that can be swapped out in just 1-2 minutes, significantly less time than traditional charging. This allows for a more active and responsive approach to unfolding situations. The company aims to leverage and advance this drone station technology to integrate with delivery drones. They are also developing stations where individuals can directly come to collect items delivered by drones.

Localization of core drone components, including flight controllers

Gaining attention in the defense sector with flight data erasure technology

The company continues its efforts to localize core drone components, including flight controllers and mission computers. While many drone companies manufacture their drones in-house, they often rely on overseas (e.g., Taiwanese) flight controller components. However, this company operates all its drones with its self-developed NarinFC (Flight Controller). 

They’ve successfully localized all drone components except for the motors and propellers, and are currently in talks with specialized firms to localize those as well. Beyond using NarinFC for their own drones, the company is also planning to export it to the United States especially the defense sector. NarinFC is also gaining attention for its integrated flight data erasure technology. In modern warfare, drones are almost indispensable for everything from attack to reconnaissance. If a drone were to be captured by the enemy, the data within—such as past operational routes—could provide grounds for a counterattack, making it a critical vulnerability. Even if the data is deleted via software, it can often be recovered through forensic methods, which is why this area has been a significant concern. However, the flight data incineration technology applied in the company’s NarinFC uses a method of physically incinerating critical hardware components like memory and chips related to flight and mission data. This is achieved by either igniting them with high voltage or detonating chemical substances. Since the information is physically destroyed, data recovery is rendered impossible. This technology has completed its domestic patent registration and is currently undergoing international patent applications. The company is actively developing this technology, initially targeting the defense market with military flight controllers.

Awarded Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Commendation for participation in drone delivery service demonstration project

Developing drone models with higher delivery capacity

Last year, Vololand conducted the K-Drone Delivery Service in Ulju-gun as part of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s Drone Demonstration City project. They garnered significant attention by operating drone delivery services to parks and tourist attractions in Ulju-gun, including Ganjeolgot Pass (900m above sea level), using four 25kg delivery drones equipped with NarinFC. They also successfully performed combat experiments, transporting up to 50kg of food supplies to high-altitude army units, where supply lines can easily be cut off, using heavy-duty drones with a certified stability of 150kg. This year, the company was selected as the top-ranked (1st place) drone delivery service provider among 16 participants and was awarded the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Commendation for its drone delivery service. Building on these achievements, the company is accelerating the development and improvement of its heavy-lift delivery drone, Hercules. Hercules is designed with a 50kg payload capacity for disaster relief supplies, capable of carrying up to 60 portions of emergency aid for scenarios like nuclear power plant accidents. It can deliver to mountainous regions and ships. The company is also investing heavily in battery development, as improved battery performance would significantly extend its flight time and overall utility. Furthermore, they plan to increase Hercules’s payload capacity to 100kg and develop a model with a 300kg payload capacity.

신태섭 기자  tss79@naver.com