Expanding drone delivery of essential medical supplies in northern B.C.

Expanding drone delivery of essential medical supplies in northern B.C.

Oct 30, 2026 | BVLOS, Drone Transport Initiative, Indigenous Peoples/First Nations, InDro News, Industry News, UBC

InDro is pleased to reveal more details of its involvement with the Drone Transport Initiative (DTI), an ambitious and long-term project to deliver essential medical supplies to rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

InDro is working with multiple partners, including the University of British Columbia (UBC) and multiple First Nations, health, and government partners. The project will involve long-range BVLOS flights to partner communities using a fixed-wing, large payload VTOL aircraft and Detect and Avoid technology. While the initial goal is to get much-needed medical supplies to two remote communities and assess results over time, the ultimate goal is to create a scalable system that can eventually benefit a far greater number of remote communities where timely access to medical supplies is an issue.

UBC took the wraps off the project with the following news release:

The UBC Faculty of Medicine has received $2.8 million from Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) — the dedicated federal economic development agency for B.C. — to expand a community-led initiative using drones to transport essential medical supplies to rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

The funding will support the Drone Transport Initiative (DTI), a partnership between UBC, Stellat’en First Nation, the Village of Fraser Lake, First Nations Health Authority, Carrier Sekani Family Services, Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) and other health, government and industry partners.

First launched in 2020, the DTI is exploring how drone technology can help overcome the long distances and transportation barriers that can make it difficult for people in rural and remote communities to access medications, laboratory services and other essential health supplies.

Above: In summer 2026, the Drone Transport Initiative held advanced drone training for members of Stellat’en First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation and the Village of Fraser Lake. InDro’s Chief of Flight Ops, Dr. Eric Saczuk, is on the far right. Below: Starting spring 2027, the project will begin testing larger, longer-range drones like this fixed-wing VTOL for medical supply delivery

Skylane UBC

MULTI-PHASE PROJECT

 

The initiative was co-created with communities, with a focus on developing solutions that respond to local needs, build local capacity, complement existing health care supply chains and enhance trust and relationships between partners.

“We see this project as having a positive and lasting impact on our community.  Improving access to new and innovative health care services for our members is exciting,” says Chief Robert Michell of Stellat’en First Nation. “By strengthening health care through projects such as this, we hope it will help improve health outcomes, enhance quality of life, and build a healthier, stronger community for generations to come. We are proud to be a part of this project.”

In its initial pilot phase, the DTI completed more than 1,200 successful five-kilometre drone flights between the Village of Fraser Lake and Stellat’en First Nation, delivering prescription medicines and medical supplies weighing up to four kilograms.

Over the next three years, the partners will expand this work by developing, testing and training community members to operate a more extensive drone network connecting more communities.

New longer-range drones, capable of carrying up to 15 kilograms and travelling up to 400 kilometres will improve access to medications, laboratory services and other essential health supplies across greater distances. The partners will explore deliveries between airports and health facilities, direct delivery to patients and potential applications for emergency response.

“This initiative is a remarkable example of what can happen when communities, researchers, industry, and other partners work together to solve a real-world challenge,” said the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan). “With support from PacifiCan, this B.C. innovation is ready to go further, connecting more rural, remote and Indigenous communities with essential health supplies while creating new capabilities and opportunities for people living in Northern B.C.”

 

NEW SKILLS, NEW OPPORTUNITIES

 

In addition to transporting critical medical supplies, the DTI is bringing technical training and employment opportunities to remote B.C. communities. Over summer 2026, 14 members of Stellat’en First Nation, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation and the Village of Fraser Lake received hands-on training in drone operations and related technologies. Two local drone pilots and one manager have also been hired, with further training and workforce development planned as the project progresses.

“We are incredibly proud of the success of the Drone Transport Initiative, and honoured to be collaborating with Indigenous and local partners in strengthening medical supply chains and fostering community-led innovation,” said Dr. Dean Jones, Vice Dean, Health Engagement, UBC Faculty of Medicine. “By centering innovation in relationship and community, the DTI is bridging barriers to healthcare and building a sustainable, more equitable future for B.C.’s remote communities.”

The DTI is also bringing together more interdisciplinary expertise from across UBC. Through the university’s Drone Transport Initiative Research Cluster, researchers in medicine, pharmaceutical sciences, engineering, computer science and other disciplines are working alongside community, health system and industry partners to tackle challenges ranging from medical cargo and drone design to implementation and evaluation.

The next major milestone for the initiative will come in spring 2027, when the first larger drone from Canadian industry partner InDro Robotics is expected to arrive in participating communities.

Below: Students from Fraser Lake Elementary Secondary School participate in an introduction to drone piloting course

Students from Fraser Lake Elementary Secondary School participate in an introduction to drone piloting course. DTI

PARTNER QUOTES

 

Chief Beverly Ketlo, Nadleh Whut’en First Nation —

“This is an exciting opportunity for our communities to participate in. This initiative will benefit members who do not feel safe travelling on winter roads and will help reduce household fuel expenses. We are encouraged by the potential for improved access to essential services while creating new opportunities for community involvement and capacity building.”

Dr. Travis Holyk, Chief Administrative Officer, Carrier Sekani Family Services —

“This project demonstrates how innovation and community partnership work together to address geographic barriers within healthcare by improving timely access to essential medications and supplies. For many of the remote First Nations communities CSFS serves in northern BC, accessing healthcare can be challenging, and this project is a crucial step toward reducing those barriers. It will also create new opportunities for learning and employment that are key to long-term community well-being.”

Dr. Danette Dawkin, CEO of the Rural Coordination Centre of BC (RCCbc) —

“Strong relationships and local knowledge are essential to improving access to health care in First Nations, rural and remote communities. The Drone Transport Initiative brings partners together to explore new ways of delivering medical supplies while building local skills and training community members to operate drones. At the Rural Coordination Centre of BC, we value this investment in people and partnerships and are pleased to support coordination and help share what is learned.”

Philip Reece, Founder and CEO, InDro Robotics —

“Canada is a big country, and distance shouldn’t determine how quickly someone can get the supplies they need. We’re using autonomous drones to move medical supplies and other essential goods safely over long distances, particularly to communities that are difficult to reach. This project is about taking that technology out of the lab and proving it in the real world — turning autonomous drone delivery from a promising idea into a practical Canadian capability.”

Monica McAlduff, Chief Executive Officer, FNHA —

“We raise our hands to Nadleh Whut’en and Stellat’en First Nations, and our health system partners for their leadership and community-led innovation that has supported the success of the Drone Transport Initiative so far. We look forward to continuing this work and advancing our vision of First Nations-led health system transformation in B.C.”

Below: The COVID-19 drone project, in partnership with the First Nations community of Penelakut Island

INDRO’S TAKE

 

InDro has long placed a priority on working closely with First Nations communities. At the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, we carried out regular BVLOS flights to transport test kits to and from Penelakut Island, a remote community off the coast of Vancouver Island. Those missions saved the local healthcare worker from taking two ferry rides each day to hand-carry used kits for testing and pick up new ones – meaning they could remain at the local clinic and serve community members.

“InDro is proud to be a key part of the Drone Transport Initiative and for multiple reasons,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “The most obvious is that, working with partners, we can soon put drones to work getting medical supplies to two remote communities in a timely fashion,” he says. “We’ll also continue to train First Nations pilots to carry out increasingly complex drone operations, providing new skills and employment opportunities. Finally, over time, we believe the DTI will establish a proven and scalable model that can assist rural, remote and Indigenous communities across Canada.”

With the exception of this section and the brief intro at the top of this piece, this story was originally published by the UBC Faculty of Medicine. You can find it here.

A Canadian First: InDro’s Prowler Robots Part of Museum Security Team

A Canadian First: InDro’s Prowler Robots Part of Museum Security Team

Oct 23, 2026 | Case Studies, InDro News, InDro Prowler, Quadrupeds, Scott Simmie, Uncategorized

By Scott Simmie

 

For decades, it’s been the standard practice for security: Locks, keys, fobs, ID cards, cameras, motion sensors, alarms, etc. All of those, plus a human being standing guard or patrolling the site, monitoring for suspicious activity and keeping an eye on people and assets.

And when those facilities close at night? Often just one or two people, keeping an eye on monitors, watching for motions sensor alerts, and walking regular in-person patrols.

In fact, this still is the standard industry practice.

But at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, one of several Ingenium museums of science and innovation in Ottawa, the security teams have two new members: InDro Robotics Prowler security robots.

“They’re a game-changer,” says Erik Bisson, Chief of Protection Services and CSO at Ingenium. “With our two robots, we can patrol 24/7 right now. Not only is it a game-changer, I think it’s going to be a force multiplier.”

We agree.

Above: The InDro Prowler, an affordable and highly effective security robot for regular patrols. Below: A LinkedIn post featuring Prowler from Erik Bisson of Ingenium

Industrial Inspection and Security Monitoring Robot Dog

THE SPARK

 

Bisson joined Ingenium in 2000 and became Chief of Protection Services in 2008. He loves the field, and he loves technology.

When he took on the Protection Services role, Canada had a minority Conservative government and was in an era of fiscal belt-tightening. Bisson sat down with management to find efficiencies and savings. They began integrating a lot of access control systems, and adding more cameras that could be remotely monitored. But Bisson wanted to push things further.

“I started looking at robots in 2008,” he says. “I was a little ahead of my time back then.”

Bisson worked with different universities and robotics students, seeing if they could come up with a security robot. It was, he says, “a lot of fun” but didn’t lead to the kind of solution he needed. In fact, the path that ultimately led to security robots on the job began two years ago, when he sat down with InDro’s Head of R&D Sales, Luke Corbeth, and explained his needs. He did so with the support and vision of Chief Operating Officer Kimberlee Hemming and CEO Christina Tessier.

They discussed, at length, what such a robot would need to accomplish. It would, obviously, require a camera that could provide full situational awareness. It would need good range without having to stop and recharge. It would have to be easy and intuitive to operate, with the ability to take on autonomous patrols. And yes, it would also have to climb stairs.

“Working with Erik was fantastic, because he had a really clear vision of what features were needed for his security use-case,” says Corbeth. “Together, we settled on the capabilities and components that would ultimately become a fully deployable robot.”

 

THE INDRO PROWLER

 

One of the barriers to entry for security robots has typically been cost. Robust smart systems that handle multiple terrains can easily cost $100k-$200k. For a Crown Corporation like Ingenium, that wasn’t in the cards.

“We don’t have the millions and millions of dollars to put into security like the big organizations have,” says Bisson. “But with our two robots, we can patrol 24-7 now.”

Prowler’s wheeled quadruped design allows it to climb stairs, speed along flat surfaces, handle rough terrain and even clamber over small fences. It has a 360° camera that allows the operator to get the full picture, as well as an ultra-wide (360° x 90°) LiDAR. That means Prowler can spot everything in – and even behind – its path. And when their shift is over? Prowler returns to its home base and wirelessly recharges. It also has InDro’s Cortex brain-box on board. Cortex contains a powerful AI EDGE computer, out of the box remote teleoperation over 5G or WiFi, and multiple ports for additional sensors.

And while Prowler is already highly capable, InDro plans to add additional features that further leverage its AI and Machine Vision capabilities.

“Think person detection, animal detection, various other features that turn what the robot is seeing into actionable intelligence – and even actions as well,” says Corbeth. “So down the road, Prowler could send text messages to security teams, perhaps notifying local authorities, things of that nature.”

In the case of the Canada Science and Technology Museum, having a pair of Prowlers has proven a hit with attendees. Adults are fascinated by the technology, and children are allowed to pet colour-coded areas of these dogs when they’re in the prone position.

“Kids are drawn to them. They want to know more,” says Bisson. “We’re the perfect venue to explain the science, the technology behind it, right?

The robots are even used to escort contractors to job sites, and allow remote monitoring of the work and two-way audio communication. And the existing security guards? The reaction there has been mixed.

“I’ll be honest with you, 50 per cent of them hate them because they know it’s the future and it might change the way they do stuff. And 50 per cent love them; they see the potential, they see the future, they see the new jobs that these will create,” says Bisson.

“Nobody in Canada is doing what we’re doing right now. And leadership is allowing me to do it, which is incredible.”

Below: Listen to Erik Bisson discuss Prowler and security on EP53 of our SoundByte micro-podcast

INDRO’S TAKE

 

The Prowler is a perfect example of the synergy that takes place when a client with specific needs comes to InDro for a solution. With a laser focus on their use-case, InDro builds solutions that work. We believe Prowler is the most cost-effective security robot available in Canada, and it can be further customised to any client’s needs.

“Erik Bisson and Ingenium showed a lot of forward thinking in embracing a security robot to enhance efficiency and coverage,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “We’re proud to have Prowler on the job at the Canada Science and Technology Museum, and look forward to further deployments already underway.”

The Prowler is priced at $50k US, fully equipped. You can learn more by having a friendly conversation with Luke Corbeth.

Area X.O highlights defence-related drone and robotics testing site

Area X.O highlights defence-related drone and robotics testing site

Aug 12, 2026 | Defence, Defence Industrial Strategy, InDro News, InDro Solutions, Industry News, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

Area X.O has put the spotlight on its third facility with a clear emphasis on defence-related drone and robotics testing – and it’s very much related to Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy.

Area X.O Killaloe is located at an airport in the Ottawa Valley, and it held a defence-capabilities demonstration called RED COBALT Uncrewed Systems Accelerator 2026 this week. It was heavily attended by senior officials from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), the Department of National Defence, and Canadian Joint Forces Command. The Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of Defence, was also in attendance.

About 20 companies, nearly all of them Canadian-owned, were invited to display and demonstrate technologies that will likely one day play a role in Canada’s defence. Indro Robotics was one of those companies. It is the third Area X.O site, with the first and largest the well-known technology hub and NATO DIANA Test Centre in Ottawa (where InDro has its R&D headquarters).

“This is how we help companies grow faster. Strengthen Canada’s sovereign capabilities. Create high-value jobs. Attract investment. And build a stronger, more resilient economy,” announced Sonya Shorey, President and CEO of Invest Ottawa and Area X.O in this post. Invest Ottawa owns and operates all Area X.O facilities.

“This work directly supports Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy and our evolving strategy for Canada’s Capital Region, Ottawa and Gatineau together, as a global defence innovation hub serving our country, Forces and Allies,” she added.

The August 11/12 gathering provided an opportunity for a cross-section of the Canadian military to observe, even operate, multiple types of drones, counter-UAS systems, ground robotics, and more. The location will allow for testing larger and more complex drone systems and robotics. And, unlike the original Area X.O, is not located near a major airport.

Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy, released in February of this year, is the country’s response to a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape – and commits more than half a trillion dollars between now and 2035. Those funds have already started to flow: In July, Ottawa announced it would build a $30M military drone R&D facility in Mirabel, Quebec.

A significant portion of the DIS budget has been set aside to help accelerate Canadian-built and owned innovations – and reduce the reliance on traditional US military primes. The Ukraine conflict and even the recent US war with Iran have forever changed warfare with the heavy use of drones and other robotics on the battlefield.

“If you look at what’s happening in Ukraine, their uncrewed systems — the [updates to] coding that goes into it happen on a daily basis,” Lt.-Gen. Darcy Molstad, who heads the military’s Joint Forces Command, told CBC News.

“…This is the kind of partnerships that we have to establish.”

Below: A portion of Sonya Shorey’s post

Sonya Shorey Killaloe

INDRO AND DUAL-PURPOSE

 

Many of the products InDro manufactures have dual-purpose capabilities, meaning they can be used for commercial/industrial applications, as well as for defensive purposes. Our drones and robots, for example, are involved in a partnership with Montreal software firm CHAAC Technologies to autonomously find, map – and potentially neutralise – the pernicious PFM-1 landmine. It’s a small, air-dropped butterfly-shaped device that is intended to maim. Children often make the tragic mistake of thinking they are toys.

Technology can prove tremendously helpful for those kinds of use-cases – as well as many other defence and sovereignty-related purposes. InDro Vice-President Peter King and Law Enforcement Consultant Brian Fentiman represented InDro at the event, showing two major new innovations we are developing.

The first is Talos, the world’s longest-range vehicle. The rugged hybrid uses a combination of batteries and a highly efficient diesel generator to operate up to 7,000 km on a single, 454-litre tank of fuel. Originally developed to be driven by a human operator, InDro is in the process of turning this vehicle into a remotely tele-operated (and autonomous) robot. The Talos uses standard NATO-compliant mounting systems, and can be rapidly transformed for any use-case, from surveillance and combat in hostile environments through to transporting wounded combatants or getting medical supplies into a disaster zone.

We were also providing a glimpse of technology related to our new, long-range Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) drone. It can carry multiple sensors plus an additional payload and fly in weather conditions that would ground conventional aircraft. It’s also a hybrid fixed-wing design, meaning it’s capable of extraordinarily long missions.

Below: A look at the front end of Talos (R), the vehicle InDro is transforming into the world’s longest-range ground robot.

 

Talos

INDRO’S TAKE

 

We were pleased to see the unveiling of the new facility – and to be in the company of so many Canadian companies who are pushing the envelope of technology and defence. The event was a clear indicator of the emphasis the Federal Government is putting on the DIS, and the speed at which it hopes to advance the capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces with made-in-Canada solutions.

“It is indeed a changing world, and Canada is investing to keep pace with that change,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “We congratulate Invest Ottawa and Area X.O and welcome the opportunities afforded by this facility. InDro is proud to be working on dual-use technologies we feel will be of benefit to the country, and to those who serve it.”

We look forward to testing our new innovations at the site, and will update you when that happens.

 

The InDro Evolution, Part One: Drones

The InDro Evolution, Part One: Drones

Aug 6, 2026 | InDro News, Industry News, Innovation, Philip Reece, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

It’s been quite a journey.

Since the founding of InDro Robotics by Philip Reece back in 2014, the company has followed a steady trajectory of innovation and growth, marked by multiple milestones and a number of industry “firsts.” We thought, 12 years on, it was worth looking back on that path.

The company was initially formed after CEO Reece saw an opportunity. At the time, he owned Salt Spring Air, a small floatplane company later acquired by the Harbour Air Group. A regular client would hire one of his aircraft annually for aerial data acquisition – but this year declined, saying he was going to use a drone instead. Reece began researching drone technology and quickly identified this would be a growth market where R&D could play a role – both in enabling new technologies and new use-case scenarios. 

“The economic benefits of a UAS versus traditional aircraft were immediately apparent,” he recalls. “And it was also clear there were multiple use-cases where a drone would be able to do things a crewed aircraft could not.”

And so InDro – short for Industrial Drones – was born. It was, initially, a startup operation based out of Salt Spring Island. Reece, along with a few dedicated staff, began building and testing drones (and also some uncrewed surface vehicles for aquatic work). Reece, a serial entrepreneur, had a knack for identifying novel use-cases.

“In 2014, in our very first year, we demonstrated that an Automated External Defibrillator could be delivered by drone, potentially saving lives,” he says. 

For InDro, that trial marked the beginning of a strong and steady voyage.

Above: Advanced urban wind tunnel research drone on a mission with the NRC. Below: A 2014 video (which now shows its age) where InDro demonstrated the potential for AED delivery by drone. Image: InDro Founder/CEO Philip Reece at Area X.O.

Philip Reece Area X.O

PROGRESS, COLLABORATION, MILESTONES

 

In those early days, regulators were exceedingly cautious, even fearful, of this new technology. There was legitimate concern a drone might collide with another aircraft, or cause injury to persons or property on the ground. You couldn’t simply put a drone up in the air regardless of the purpose – you needed a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for each and every flight. It was a time-consuming process.

But Reece, a licensed pilot himself, could see the rationale and began building trust with contacts at Transport Canada. InDro also started working with a broad selection of First Responders – fire, police, Search & Rescue and more – training them how to safely use these new tools. At one of the biggest downtown fires in Victoria’s history, the fire department deployed an InDro-supplied drone with a FLIR thermal camera. It allowed the department to see through thick smoke to more strategically direct suppression efforts.

While Visual Line of Sight flights (with an SFOC) could accomplish many tasks, Reece and others in the industry knew that BVLOS flights would open up an entire new world of use-cases. In 2016, in coordination with Transport Canada and First Responders, InDro flew a BVLOS mission to assist with a major forest fire. That was within restricted airspace and a special case. But the company did fly Canada’s first BVLOS mission outside of a test range in 2017.

We also flew regularly from a moving vehicle to document the beauty and diversity of this country during an 11,000 km overland trip through Canada in the Explorer 150 project – a partnership with Maclean’s magazine, Duracell and Rogers, and one of many high-profile events to mark Canada’s 150th birthday. We even captured video of polar and grizzly bears during that trip.

Below: Two members of the Explorer 150 team

Duracell Explorer 150

OTHER FIRSTS

 

There are many. Highlights include:

  • The first “blanket” SFOC for Canada-wide flights, and the first license granted by the Canadian Transportation Agency to use drones as a means of cargo delivery
  • The first flight in Canada using 5G for Command and Control (2021)
  • The first TC BVLOS delivery of simulated blood products between hospitals (2018) and the first delivery of pharmaceutical products (2019) with privacy and other approvals. Those trials, along with further research work transporting AEDs, proved that aerial delivery was faster than emergency ground transport

InDro rapidly developed a reputation not only as a serious player in this emerging industry, but a collaborative one. In 2018, Reece worked closely with regulators and Canada Post to arrange for a demonstration of drone technology and BVLOS flights from the-then Salt Spring Island headquarters. He invited multiple companies – including AVSS, ParaZero Technologies, Avidrone Aerospace, SkyX, DJI and Iris Automation (since acquired by uAvionix) to highlight their own solutions, all observed by Transport Canada and NAV CANADA officials, as well as senior Canada Post management. Those invitations made that event  about elevating the industry, not InDro.

It was that kind of work that garnered InDro Robotics and Reece the prestigious Organisational Award from Unmanned Systems Canada (now the Aerial Evolution Association of Canada) in 2020. The award recognises a company that has made an outstanding contributions to the industry-at-large.

Below: Two use-cases we’re particularly proud of: During the peak of the COVID pandemic, InDro flew BVLOS flights for an island-based First Nations community, shuttling COVID test kits and swabs needing analysis back and forth to the mainland. We earlier flew Canada’s first BVLOS deliveries of prescription medications in a fully sanctioned trial

INDRO’S TAKE

Other firsts include working with telecoms like Rogers to carry out Canada’s first flight over 5G. We developed InDro Pilot, then InDro Controller, as a UI for command and control. We’ve collaborated with Federal departments like the National Research Council, detected landmines in partnership with Montreal’s CHAAC technologies for the Department of National Defence, and built multiple generations of R&D drones that run on the open-source ROS2. We remain the key technology provider for the ongoing Drone Detection System at YOW, which has gathered years worth of data shared with Transport Canada, NAV CANADA, the RCMP and other airport authorities. (The system was even used to ensure the airspace was free of drones for former US President Joe Biden’s visit to Ottawa.)

We’ve also helped incubate other companies, including Cypher Robotics, which has a tethered drone attached to an autonomous mobile robot that counts warehouse inventory with 99-plus per cent accuracy. Plus many projects for international clients where we are bound by NDA.

This story could be much longer – there’s a lot we’ve skipped, including the launch of the FLYY online drone training portal – but you get the drift: InDro has continuously pushed the envelope with drone technology and use-cases, collaborating whenever possible while developing custom RPAS solutions for global clients.

“In retrospect, I’m incredibly grateful that client decided to not hire a Salt Spring Air floatplane back in 2014,” says Reece. “That was where all this started, and I could not have envisioned back then how this path would unfold. Our engineering staff has grown immensely since the early days, and we’re now innovating with long-range, hybrid aircraft suitable for deliveries and reconnaissance in Arctic conditions.”

And one more very important thing before we wrap:

“None of this would have been possible without a dedicated engineering team and the support from multiple Federal and provincial programs that believed in us. As a company we are grateful for that trust – and look forward to what’s next.”

Part II of this series is coming soon: InDro and ground robotics.

InDro’s hybrid drone and ground robot: Long-range, all-weather solutions

InDro’s hybrid drone and ground robot: Long-range, all-weather solutions

Jul 29, 2026 | Defence, Drone Delivery, InDro Autonomy, InDro News, Innovation, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

Picture this: A medical crisis in a remote or isolated community. Specifically, a patient needs a critical medication quickly.

There’s no pharmacy in the small town, nor is there an airstrip. A medical helicopter is unavailable. But without this medication, the patient might die. This community does have a road leading to the wider world (not all do), but it’s an eight-hour drive to the nearest city that has the required drug – then another eight hours back.

The obvious solution, to those in this field, is a drone. But here, too, there are problems. The range is beyond the reach of most RPAS. And the weather at both ends is inhospitable to most drones; high winds and sub-zero temperatures.

This is a problem – and a big one.

That’s why InDro has been working on a solution. We’re not quite ready to take the wraps off it yet, which is why you’re looking at a render in the image above. (The render, in fact, doesn’t even look close to what we’re working on – it’s a completely different body design.)

But what we’re working on is very real. And we will give you some details.

Below: The isolated community of Akulivik in Nunavik, northern Quebec. Getting critical supplies to remote communities can be challenging, particularly in hostile weather. Image by Couch, licensed under Creative Commons Share Alike 3.0 Unported

Remote community

SOME (BUT NOT ALL) DETAILS

 

The RPAS we’re working with on, like the render that opened this story, is a catapult launch. In fact, we’re building the catapult right now. But that’s about the only thing in common with the image. The body shape is significantly different, and built for far greater efficiency and far harsher conditions. But the other key in this project is range.

Battery power alone won’t cut it; the energy density won’t sustain truly extended BVLOS flights. We considered fuel-only, but the ranges we’re aiming for would require significant fuel, noise and emissions. And so we’ve settled on an electric hybrid.

A small fuel-powered generator will keep the onboard batteries charged, extending our range and reducing the carbon footprint. This RPAS has been engineered to fly many hundreds of kilometres. The body is designed for carrying a heavy payload in even highly demanding weather scenarios. It can fly in sub-zero Arctic conditions, scorching deserts, and even handle the volatile winds in mountain ranges. The catapult launch also minimises the energy required for a traditional ground takeoff.

While there’s clearly demand for delivering critical supplies, the heavy-lift capacity means this drone can also carry an array of sensors (including, of course, a Detect-And-Avoid system). That puts it firmly in the dual-use category, whether for remote communities, industrial tasks or sovereignty/defence applications. We believe it will fill a crucial gap when it comes to long-range BVLOS, particularly in demanding conditions – and look forward to a complete unveil in the future.

 

NOT JUST AIR

 

We are also working on a rugged, long-range ground robot that can be tele-operated over long distances. The mechanics for drive-by-wire have already been installed and we’ve been testing this in a battery-only configuration at our Area X.O R&D headquarters.

Because we want to extend the range significantly, a lightweight, low-displacement generator vastly increases range while keeping the propulsion electric-only and minimising carbon footprint.

This particular ground robot is much larger than anything we’ve publicly revealed (though we have built some pretty big ground robots for high-profile technology clients). The greater size, rugged suspension, cargo capacity and long range mean it will be useful for a broad range of use-cases. Yes, it can deliver a significant quantity of supplies – whether to a community, wildfire crews, disaster zones or even front-line troops. It can handle exceedingly rugged terrain, meaning even if infrastructure is heavily damaged (or non-existent), it will reach its destination. It can even be configured to carry an injured human being out of a remote or dangerous location.

We call this new product Obsidian. The photo below was taken in early April of 2026, and significant work has taken place since then.

Obsidian Build April 2026

INDRO’S TAKE

 

Both of these hybrid projects represent significant advances in aerial and ground robotics for InDro. By significantly extending range and ruggedness, Obsidian and the forthcoming drone open up a far broader array of humanitarian and defence-related use-cases.

“Engineering is all about solving problems,” says InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece. “We believe this truly efficient, long-range and heavy-lift drone will fill a critical void in getting important supplies to remote and isolated communities, gathering data over long distances and in inclement weather, and also find a role in defence and sovereignty applications. We are equally excited about the capabilities of the hybrid ground robot.”

We look forward to fully unveiling these remarkable products when complete. Stay tuned.

Meet the New InDro Axiom Humanoid-Style Research Robot

Meet the New InDro Axiom Humanoid-Style Research Robot

Jul 23, 2026 | InDro Axiom, InDro News, InDro Solutions, Industry News, Scott Simmie

By Scott Simmie

 

We’ve released a new robot – and it’s unlike anything we’ve built before.

The new InDro Axiom is a budget-friendly and flexible platform for those doing Physical AI R&D involving humanoid-style robots with arms. It’s designed to make advanced robotics more accessible to researchers, academic institutions, and industry.

Created in response to growing demand for affordable humanoid development tools, Axiom provides many of the capabilities researchers require for manipulation, simulation, and autonomy development — without the cost or complexity associated with fully bipedal humanoid systems.

“We describe Axiom less as a robot and more as a research solution with exciting industrial implications,” says Luke Corbeth, InDro’s Head of R&D Sales. “It’s a budget humanoid — an adaptable, modular approach to Physical AI. It gives researchers a way to collect data, develop skills, and build toward autonomous deployment using one flexible system.”

Below: The human-height Axiom alongside Robotics Hardware Engineering Intern Justin Luo 

TELESCOPING TORSO

 

Those doing research with humanoids – and ultimately deploying them in the real world – need a platform with arms. And those arms might need to reach something high, low, or in-between. Axiom can handle them all.

Axiom features a unique form factor that includes a telescoping torso, caster-wheel base, dual shoulder-mounted robotic arms, and a top-mounted depth camera. Users can move the platform to wherever the research or work needs to take place. The adjustable torso enables Axiom to function across a wide range of environments – from tabletop tasks to higher interactions such as cabinets, shelves, or door handles. Customers can select their own robotic arms and end effectors. If you already have robotic arms, you can purchase a base model with depth camera for $4,000 US and integrate your own hardware.

Axiom is aimed at robotics researchers exploring Physical AI — the emerging field where artificial intelligence moves beyond software and into machines that carry out tasks in the physical world.

“Physical AI is what happens when you give an intelligent system the ability to perceive and act,” says Corbeth. “Instead of generating answers like an AI chatbot, the system learns to actually perform tasks in the real world.”

 

UPGRADES AVAILABLE

 

To maximize accessibility, Axiom can operate as a standalone development platform using a researcher’s existing computer workflow. For more advanced applications, it can be equipped with InDro Cortex for onboard compute and connectivity, along with InDro Controller for visualization, simulation, remote operation, and advanced autonomy development.

The platform expands to match your needs. Axiom can be integrated onto an Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR) base, adding omnidirectional movement and creating a fully mobile manipulation research platform which could ultimately be deployable.

Corbeth says the timing for Axiom is perfect.

“Physical AI is one of the most exciting frontiers in robotics right now,” he says. “This isn’t science fiction anymore – it’s happening today in labs around the world. Axiom is another way InDro is helping enable that future.”

Below: Axiom’s adjustable torso means the robot swiftly be set to different heights

INDRO’S TAKE

 

Axiom grew from customer demand, and three units have already shipped. A typical system with two highly capable arms runs about $19,000 USD and, when equipped with InDro Cortex and InDro Controller, about $28,000 USD.

“Researchers have told us they want to work on humanoid-style development, but a $60,000 to $100,000 system simply isn’t realistic for many teams,” says Corbeth. “Axiom creates a much more accessible pathway.”

InDro Founder and CEO Philip Reece is pleased the company can offer such an affordable platform for research.

“Physical AI is already much more than a buzzword,” he says. “Axiom now allows academic and R&D companies to affordably develop algorithms and other innovations that will fully enable the next generation of humanoid-style robots.”

For more information about InDro Axiom, contact Luke Corbeth.