Enabling Fully Autonomous VTOL Drone Operations
How Avy achieved high-current charging with Skycharge’s modular docking and charging system
Client Overview: Emergency-Ready Long-Range VTOLs
Avy is a Dutch drone company focused on emergency response and public safety. Their vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platforms can fly up to 100 km to deliver real-time situational awareness for firefighting, law enforcement, and disaster response missions.
Avy initially approached Skycharge to explore integration between their VTOL dock and Skycharge’s autonomous docking and charging systems. The integration began in mid-2025, with testing and deployment conducted on Avy’s remote dock prototype. By implementing Skycharge’s solution AVY enabled fully automatic docking and charging for their VTOLs.
The result is a future-ready VTOL dock solution with:
Autonomous Docking: Tolerates precision landing accuracy up to 400 mm—no mechanical alignment system required.
Automated Charging: Safe, high-efficiency contact-based power transfer, both in outdoor and wet conditions.
Orientation-Agnostic Design: their VTOL can land with any orientation—i.e., always land against the wind, critical for most VTOL operations.
Skycharge Implementation
Skycharge implemented its patented docking technology—commercialized in the BOLO S1 Docking System—into a custom docking solution for the Avy Dock, together with its patented contact-based charge source. This enabled fully autonomous, contact-based docking and safe high-current charging suitable for outdoor and harsh environmental conditions, without mechanical alignment or orientation systems.
Custom Docking Platform
Circular and modular tile surface made of 9 steel-made, anti-glare treated, conductive tiles ensuring 400 mm landing error tolerance
Slight incline for rainwater drainage
Non-conductive central pad for safe access
Non-slip platform edge for walkable safety
Charging System
Charge Source 1500W
Included in-rush current limiter for safe and reliable pre-charging
Onboard Integration
Charge Sink LIGHT circuit logic implemented inside the Avy Aera drone PCB design
Spring-loaded contacts integrated into Avy Aera airframe
Added weight: ~10 grams
Performance Outcomes
Consistent docking allows for up to 400mm inaccuracy
Consistent docking with any landing orientation
30A recharging for the 12S battery
The system (added weight) does not affect flight time
The system footprint does not affect aerodynamics
Works in any environmental conditions
Removed the need for VTOL orientation system
Lowered maintenance needs and improved reliability
Simplified dock architecture for faster deployment
Client Feedback
Avy called the orientation-flexible and mechanical-free docking capability “a game-changer” for VTOLs—unlocking new levels of autonomy and validating Skycharge’s system for VTOL planes in long-range emergency drone operations.
Key Takeaways
Skycharge's docking and charging solution enabled Avy to eliminate mechanical dock components to turn the platform after the drone landing and achieve full docking & charging autonomy. This project underscores the system’s versatility across drone formats, environmental conditions, and integration constraints.
