By
Chester Gherbaz
Perth
The BlackSwan is a unique UAV designed to combine the benefits of both the multirotor and fixed wing systems. Through the use of four powerful EDF (Electric Ducted Fan) engines, the BlackSwan has the ability to take off and land vertically whilst also being able to travel at high speeds horizontally, carrying payloads of up to a whopping 6kg!
It is clear that drones are becoming more and more popular as we move through this era of technology, however we believe there is a gap between the typically smaller commercial UAVs and the larger industrial drones. We've designed the BlackSwan to be the perfect fit between them both.
We're a team of Mechatronics students who came together because of our thirst for innovative technologies. We had an idea to build the coolest and most capable drone, far more versatile than any available to the UAV market today.
We are fortunate that Curtin University is committed to encouraging students to become the next generation of entrepreneurs and innovators. Our idea became a plausible reality when Curtin granted us a position in their Accelerate program, allowing us access to mentors, facilities and initial funding to get the project up and running.
Now that we've made our first prototype, we've identified some key areas which need improvement in order to get the BlackSwan to the next stage...flight testing!
This is where YOU come in!
We have a number of critical components needed to get the BlackSwan closer to a finished product:
We're offering some really cool rewards for our supporters, check them out in the pledge side panel!
You don't need to give money to help us succeed! Please share this project with anyone you think would support us – on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, by email, telephone, in a chat over the fence or on your blog. In fact, share it with everyone you know as we think it's a great idea, and the more people who know about it, the more likely we are to make this work out brilliantly. And we know we said you don't need to give money to help us, but we'd love it if you did! Please sponsor us and help make this happen.
A virtual high five! Thanks so much for your support. We're going to keep you updated on how our project is going and send you cool/somewhat crazy photos and videos along the way!
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Estimated delivery: 1 December 2015
Thanks for supporting the BlackSwan project, we really appreciate your pledge! You'll receive the reward above -PLUS- We'll publish your name on our website as a significant contributor to the BlackSwan project!
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Estimated delivery: 1 December 2015
A huge thanks for helping bring the BlackSwan to life! You'll receive all the rewards above -PLUS- We're sending you a personal invitation to attend a BlackSwan testing day where you can meet and chat with the BlackSwan team!
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Estimated delivery: 1 December 2015
This is a very limited and crazy (fun) opportunity for you! You'll receive all of the rewards above -PLUS- Your company name or personal name will be printed on our prototype BlackSwan for display in our update emails and any other promotional media AND you will be the first to test fly the BlackSwan - (we reserved the coolest reward for you)!
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Estimated delivery: 1 December 2015