Lucid Bots Unveils Power Tether for Continuous Flight on Sherpa Drones
Lucid Bots, a leading manufacturer of commercial cleaning drones based in Charlotte, North Carolina, has unveiled the Power Tether, a groundbreaking ground-powered continuous-flight system for its Sherpa drones. This innovation marks a significant milestone for the cleaning drone industry, enabling uninterrupted operation and drastically reducing the frequency of battery changes during extended cleaning and spraying tasks.
According to data compiled through telemetry, Lucid Bots' connected fleet of Sherpa drones has collectively logged over 8,760 flight hours, equivalent to more than a full year of operation. This cumulative activity spans 600+ drones and represents the network's total airborne time, not a single continuous flight.
The Power Tether shifts the primary power source from the drone itself to a compatible ground station. The air module mounts in the Sherpa drone's battery bay, while the ground station connects to a generator. This setup ensures that drones can operate for longer periods without needing to land for battery changes, providing a steady and continuous work session.
"Those hours belong to our customers. A year in the air is a year of everyday businesses generating revenue and doing dangerous work faster and more safely," said Andrew Ashur, the Founder and CEO of Lucid Bots. "The Power Tether ends the old battery debate that has dominated our industry. Once customers try it, the data shows they don't go back to swapping packs. Crews stay focused on the building instead of the battery clock."
The installation process for the Power Tether is straightforward, requiring less than 15 minutes on compatible Sherpa drone systems. Real-time firmware monitoring ensures operators are alerted when approaching operating limits, and onboard battery backup supports the system's automatic landing sequence in the event of generator power loss.
During a test at Lucid Bots' headquarters, a Power Tether-equipped Sherpa drone remained airborne for eight hours and 48 seconds on a single generator connection, without any battery swaps. This performance is ideal for commercial building maintenance, particularly for exterior facade, window, hotel, institutional, and distribution center applications where extended flight sessions can help maintain job momentum.
The Power Tether is designed for use in various commercial building-maintenance scenarios, where uninterrupted operation enhances efficiency and safety. More information on product specifications, operating requirements, and purchasing details can be found at lucidbots.com/products/power-tether.
Lucid Bots, founded in 2018, is a drone hardware company backed by Y Combinator and $34 million in funding. The company serves a network of over 400 operators across more than 40 states and three continents. The Sherpa Drone, designed and built in the USA, is a purpose-built platform for exterior cleaning and protection applications.