• heliguy™ partners with industry-leading emergency vehicle manufacturer Venari to develop a dedicated drone support vehicle;
• The custom modified Ford Ranger is specifically designed for enterprise drone operations;
• It will feature a suite of integrated features, such as built-in battery charging stations, safety equipment, command control and counter-UAS, and will be able to house a DJI Dock drone in a box;
• The vehicle will be complete in about two months and is due to go on display at The Emergency Services Show 2022, in Birmingham, in September;
• heliguy™ and Venari will collaborate with drone programmes to help them develop their own dedicated UAS support vehicles;
• Venari says it is seeing 'exponential requests for dedicated drone vehicles, making the partnership very organic'.

Drone specialist heliguy™ has partnered with industry-leading emergency vehicle manufacturer Venari to develop a dedicated UAS support vehicle.

The custom modified Ford Ranger has been specifically designed for enterprise drone operations to facilitate streamlined and efficient deployment.

Below is an example of how Venari has modified a Ford Ranger for the fire service: The drone support vehicle will be of a similar innovative design.

Catering for a variety of UAS applications, it will include a suite of integrated features such as built-in battery charging stations, command control, safety equipment, weather station, drone storage, and counter-UAS.

A DJI Dock - pictured below - can be added, enabling operators to benefit from an innovative drone in a box solution for autonomous and remote deployment.

The vehicle is also modular, catering for an array of drone platforms and ensuring it is a futureproof solution which can be adapted as requirements change.

heliguy™ is working with Venari to develop its own vehicle, due for completion in two months’ time.

heliguy™ will use the rugged off-road vehicle during its onsite enterprise drone training courses and it will be displayed at The Emergency Services Show 2022, at the NEC in Birmingham, on September 21 and 22.

Through the partnership, heliguy™ and Venari will collaborate with drone programmes to help them develop their own dedicated UAS support vehicles.

Ben Shirley, Training and Counter-UAS Development Manager, said: “We are excited to move this project forward by partnering with a vehicle manufacturer as prestigious as Venari.

“As drone programmes scale and the industry continues to mature, there is increased demand for a dedicated transport solution which specifically caters for the unique operational requirements of UAS deployment.

“A versatile, purpose-built, all-in-one vehicle which keeps equipment safe and secure and ready to go when required will greatly support drone teams in their work and ensure they can conduct their missions efficiently and confidently.

“Every aspect of UAS operations has been considered in the designs, facilitating rapid and enduring operations. Combining the expertise of heliguy™ and Venari, we have created a formidable addition to benefit any UAS operator, including those with complex and multifaceted operational requirements.

“heliguy™ strives to innovate the drone industry: Our in-house R&D lab has already created solutions such as a collision-proof drone cage, and our partnership with Venari is another example of us driving UAS operations forward.”

Venari CEO, Oliver North, added: “heliguy™ has always been seen as the pinnacle of drone expertise by us here at Venari, and as drones continue to become more prevalent in the emergency services we’re seeing exponential requests for dedicated drone vehicles - making our partnership very organic.

“At Venari, we always refer to manufacturing ‘the right tool for the right job’ ensuring the front line emergency operator stays as effective as possible with the ultimate goal of preserving life. So with the best drone vehicle configuration possible, built to the highest standard, whilst utilising the best drone professionals in the industry, we remain efficient with our mutual, ultimate objective of saving life.

“We’re confident that Venari and heliguy™ will prove to be an unrivalled ally to emergency services’ drone teams.”

About Venari

Venari Group is the largest and fastest-growing manufacturer of emergency vehicles and equipment in the UK, employing more than 120 people.

Formed in 2019, having acquired 32 year-old O&H Vehicle Technology – Britain’s largest and most established manufacturer of ambulances – Venari has set about bringing world-class, innovative solutions to support our frontline emergency services and to save as many lives as possible.

Led by CEO Oliver North, the firm has already won and executed prestigious, multi-million-pound contracts within the fire and ambulance sectors, and has partnered with some of the world’s most desirable equipment manufacturers to distribute their products.

Venari has also partnered with Ford, the UK market leader in commercial vehicles, to manufacture an all-new, 3.5-tonne lightweight front-line ambulance.

About heliguy™

heliguy™ is a leading drone company, headquartered in the UK and supplying and supporting drone programmes around the world.

Facilitating end-to-end workflows, heliguy™'s one-stop-shop industry approach includes proof of concept, consultancy, hardware supply, UK CAA-approved drone training and industry-specific closed courses - including dedicated GIS and emergency services training - an OSC consultancy, in-house repairs, R&D lab, drone defence, and in-house GIS specialists.

heliguy™ supplies and supports the drone programmes of major companies and organisations, such as Network Rail, National Grid, Phillips 66 and Associated British Ports, as well as blue light organisations around the UK, including the police.   

heliguy™ also has an extensive partnership network with industry leaders, such as DJI, GeoSLAM, Esri UK, Flybotix and Venari.