At XPONENTIAL in the USA, we had the opportunity to speak with Alexander Fraess-Ehrfeld, CEO of AIR6 SYSTEMS and AIRBORNE ROBOTICS, about the development of his company, current industry trends and his perspectives on the international trade fair landscape and market dynamics.
AIR6 SYSTEMS and AIRBORNE ROBOTICS are specialized providers of industrial drone technology with locations in Austria, the United Kingdom and Germany. Led by CEO Alexander Fraess-Ehrfeld, the company was founded in 2017 after its core technical team came together in 2014. Originally rooted in agricultural technology, the company now focuses on a broad range of industrial applications: from energy (wind, solar, power grids, oil and gas) to surveying, logistics, and government-related missions involving police, fire departments, and military operations. The emphasis is always on sustainable, forward-looking solutions.
What sets your company apart from other drone manufacturers?
First, we differentiate ourselves through our choice of drone type: we specialize in rotor drones, which are particularly suitable for close-range operations and high payloads. Our systems can carry up to 10 kilograms of payload in serial production. We prioritize maximum performance and flight time.
We also consistently focus on redundancy and safety: our systems feature duplicate components—from rotors to flight controllers. This redundancy has allowed us to operate in urban environments early on, for which we received special permissions, for example in Austria.
Another key area is Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). We invested early in communication technologies—such as 4G, 5G, and satellite connections. One example of our innovation: we developed a drone capable of landing on a pipe—from the top, the side, or the bottom. A magnetic crawler is then deployed, which moves along the pipe and measures wall thickness with an accuracy of 0.1 millimeters. This is a world first.
What motivated your participation in XPONENTIAL USA, and how does this trade fair differ from other formats?
XPONENTIAL is the leading trade fair for autonomous systems in the USA and will become increasingly important in Europe from 2025. For us, the question was not whether to attend, but how. The German Pavilion was an ideal solution to increase our visibility.
Many visitors come specifically looking for drone manufacturers, even though 90% of the exhibitors are focused on components or services. “Made in Germany” is considered a hallmark of quality, especially among American attendees.
Compared to the smaller Commercial UAV Show in Las Vegas, XPONENTIAL is significantly larger. While we initially expected a predominance of smaller companies or end users, the audience turned out to be quite balanced. Another benefit: German visitors can also easily find us through the German Pavilion.
Another highlight is the accompanying program: networking events and evening receptions offer added value. Many informal conversations with partners and long-time acquaintances take place there, reinforcing the relevance of in-person trade shows.
Is “Made in Germany” perceived as an advantage at the fair?
Absolutely. Even though we hadn’t prioritized this aspect initially, we’ve noticed that international visitors are actively seeking out German providers. We’ve observed similar sentiments in the UK, where German technology is often seen as more trustworthy than domestic offerings.
What challenges do you currently see for the European drone industry?
Unfortunately, Europe is losing ground. The regulatory landscape is complex and impractical—especially for specialized providers. The U.S. has simplified many processes, while Europe is hampered by a policy of compromise. This stifles innovation and competitiveness.
What are your plans for the coming years?
We will continue to focus on Europe, the Middle East, and the USA. The energy sector remains our core area. We see great future potential in logistics, particularly for what we call the “middle mile”—distances of around 250 kilometers. That’s an area where we aim to grow.
How do you assess the role of defense and the development of XPONENTIAL Europe in this context?
Defense is currently a strong focus and undoubtedly a driver of innovation. While we don’t want to become overly dependent on this sector, we recognize its relevance and have expanded our product portfolio to be well positioned in this space. If XPONENTIAL Europe continues to emphasize this focus, it will naturally attract the appropriate target audience. For us, that’s a welcome development, as we now have products we can showcase. What’s important is that industrial customers are actively approached. Messe Düsseldorf has understood this and is using targeted marketing. If decision-makers attend, the event has the potential to be a great success.
What message would you like to share with the industry?
The drone sector is one of the most exciting industries of our time. Its potential is far from exhausted. Companies should start thinking strategically about the topic—a drone is often a relatively low-cost investment but offers high added value. New applications are emerging every month. Developing a dedicated drone strategy is definitely worth it.
