Voliro 通过基于SOLIDWORKS云的协作加速无人机创新

寂静回声

A Zurich-based startup spun out of ETH Zurich in 2016, Voliro（https://voliro.com/） is reimagining how critical infrastructure is inspected. Voliro aerial robots perform contact-based, non-destructive testing on hard-to-reach surfaces, reducing downtime and enhancing safety in energy, construction, oil and gas, and other industries.



The highly adaptable nature of Voliro drones is a key selling point in an extremely competitive market. Their flexibility enables engineers and technicians to inspect vertical surfaces, domes, and industrial towers without scaffolding or human climbing teams. However, as the company grew, so did the complexity of its design process.

By 2023, the Voliro team needed a design and engineering solution that would keep pace with its product development process and fast iteration cycles. According to Hardware Lead Florian Braun, the team was looking for a platform that would simplify collaboration across locations, manage product data reliably, and eliminate the need to manage an IT infrastructure.
After evaluating options, Voliro transitioned to the cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE® platform paired with SOLIDWORKS® for CAD and Simulation for virtual testing. This enabled the engineering team to work seamlessly from any location, track design versions automatically, and collaborate in real time.


Voliro now handles all stages of mechanical development in a centralized location via the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, from early sketches to finalized parts. “Depending on the project, one to three designers typically work closely together, often in cooperation with electronics engineers, to ensure smooth integration of the electronics,” Braun adds. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform offers a seamless environment where mechanical and electronic components can be coordinated. It enables us to manage all steps of mechanical design centrally and efficiently, increasing iteration speed and significantly accelerating teamwork.”

Using SOLIDWORKS Simulation, Voliro runs structural analyses on drone components long before manufacturing. This helps the team make early design decisions that reduce drone weight without compromising durability.

“Simulation allows us to use only the material we absolutely need, which reduces weight. That is why virtual testing with SOLIDWORKS Simulation is very important. It saves us costs and time, as fewer physical tests and iterations are required.”

Voliro Hardware Lead Florian Braun


Switching to SOLIDWORKS connected to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform also provided Voliro with consistent part numbering, version tracking, and a shared storage system, all in the cloud. This reduces errors in ordering and assembly, which is especially valuable in a high-velocity startup environment.