There is currently a rapid growth in the use of UAVs (drones) by military and commercial enterprises ranging from intelligence gathering to package deliveries. However, limited range and payload capacity are the two mist significant barriers to adoption. Envision Solar is developing a rapidly deployable and highly scalable range extending recharging network infrastructure solution that does not require any fueling or connection to grid infrastructure because it generates and stores all of its own energy from renewable sources.
The UAV ARC is also self-ballasted and levelling and does not require any planning or construction for its installation. It has a hardened exterior and countermeasures designed to protect it from vandalism, theft or other nefarious activities. The units can be deployed on flat roofs in cities or on any terrain in remote locations and the maritime version can be deployed at sea to extend UAV missions in a maritime environment. The units will be made available to any operator of unmanned aerial vehicles as part of a subscription or individual usage plan.
“We have demonstrated our ability to bring renewably energized EV charging to business and government with our EV ARC and Solar Tree products” said Envision Solar CEO, Desmond Wheatley. “Our new UAV ARC leverages much of the great technology we have developed for ground transportation and makes it available for drones in a way that, we believe, will change the way they are used. The networks we deploy will enable deliveries of consumer products, medicines, military payloads, information and life-saving technologies across broad regions without the requirement for human intervention or other modes of transport. We believe this new capability will revolutionize drone usage and communication.”
Goldman Sachs forecasts a $100 billion market for drones between now and 2020. The majority of the spending will come from the military in the short term, but the fastest growing area of the market is in the commercial sector. Companies such as Amazon, Alphabet, Intel, Qualcomm and Uber have announced plans to test and/or operate drones. Goldman Sachs forecasts that the $100B opportunity is just the tip of the iceberg.
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