When energy infrastructure, such as electricity pylons or gas pipelines, is damaged, the traditional approach has been to use expensive helicopters for inspections. While drones have started taking over some of these tasks, their flight-time limitations present challenges. A new company has now developed a long-range drone to address this issue. Although the company refrains from discussing any “dual-use” applications, it is evident that their drone could be utilized in civilian scenarios to inspect infrastructure affected by warfare.
Beagle, a company based in Hamburg, Germany, specializes in using long-range drones to gather data on energy infrastructure. It recently secured a €5 million seed round with co-leads AENU and PT1 investment firms. Previously, it had raised €1.9 million in pre-seed funding in addition to €2 million through grants and subsidies.
Oliver Lichtenstein, a co-founder, mentioned that he and his team dedicated five years to developing their “computer with wings.” This drone adheres to the stringent EU airspace regulations for long-range flights and can operate without personnel on site, automatically launching from its housing.
“Our customers compensate us based on the kilometers of pipeline data. We are cashflow positive in Germany with our current team and operations,” Lichtenstein remarked in an email, adding that they intend to use the new venture funding to accelerate growth.
Beagle’s process involves the operator sending geo data of their grid to Beagle, which then provides a quote based on the per-kilometer price for its products related to methane detection or hazard detection.
Although Beagle faces competition from companies like Intero, the Adlares CHARM helicopter, and local helicopter or small airplane services, it asserts that its solution offers 75 times the resolution of satellites, at a lower cost and with reduced emissions compared to planes. Beagle’s drones are also permitted to undertake repeated long-range flights.
The “Fully EU” (“Made in Germany”) solution provides Beagle control over the data and software, a notable advantage given today’s geopolitical environment where non-EU systems might face challenges.
Furthermore, Lichtenstein stated, “We have Operational Approval for flights in EU airspace and can currently cover 80% of the EU area, except in densely populated areas.”
The market Beagle targets is substantial. The EU market alone is worth €2 billion, due to regulations that mandate methane emission tracking, a path the U.S. also intends to follow.
While Beagle currently focuses its drones on civilian applications, PT1 managing partner Nikolas Samios highlighted their potential for broader use: “In a world where critical infrastructure is being targeted, having real-time surveillance is crucial, from energy lines to telecommunications… the potential applications of this technology are extensive.”
Lichtenstein, formerly with the drone advisory board in the German Ministry of Transport, and now the deputy chairman of UAV DACH, is supported by Jerry Tang (a robotics engineer), Mitja Wittersheim, and Bendix Böttger (formerly head of Sales DACH for Trustpilot).
During his tenure at the Federal Ministry of Transport, working on implementing EU drone regulations, Lichtenstein met Tang and conceived the idea for Beagle.
