Team Aero

We are Aero Team Eindhoven, an ambitious student team of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) pioneering the electrification of aviation with the world’s first In-Air Battery-Swap.

At Aero Team Eindhoven, we strive to accelerate autonomous drone development in the Brainport region. The aviation industry is a major contributor to carbon emissions, yet the range limitations of current battery technologies have slowed its transition to electrification. Our solution? The In-Air Battery-Swap System, a solution that allows electric planes to fly indefinitely by eliminating the need for ground-based recharging.

With this system, when a plane’s battery runs low, a drone autonomously docks mid-flight and seamlessly exchanges the depleted battery with a fully charged one—all without interrupting the mission. This continuous exchange removes the biggest constraint of electric aviation: range limitations.

As the world moves rapidly toward electrification and carbon emission reduction, we believe our technology has the potential to redefine the future of flight. Currently, aviation remains one of the highest-emitting sectors in transportation. Our innovation aims to turn planes into true zero-emission vehicles, significantly reducing their environmental impact.

To achieve this, we bring together students from diverse nationalities and academic backgrounds, fostering a multidisciplinary approach to innovation.

Aegle: A State-of-the-Art Cargo Plane

Our first major project was Aegle, a lightweight, fast, and reliable electric cargo plane. What sets Aegle apart is its advanced engineering and design, particularly its 3D-printed construction, which offers unmatched customization and modularity. The use of additive manufacturing has allowed our team to push the limits of drone technology, creating a flexible and adaptable platform. Aegle’s modular design makes component replacements and upgrades seamless, ensuring continuous improvement. As our first major milestone, Aegle laid the foundation for our most innovative developments: the Battery-Swap Mechanism and the Drone-to-Drone Docking System.

Battery-Swap: A Seamless Battery Exchange Mechanism

Our Battery-Swap Mechanism enables fast, reliable, and lightweight battery exchanges between two aerial platforms. Specifically designed for in-air applications, it ensures a stable center of mass and uninterrupted power delivery. Beyond aviation, this technology holds potential for industries such as automotive and public transport as an alternative to fast charging. We are continuously refining the system—making it faster, lighter, and safer, all while giving students hands-on experience in the full engineering process.

What’s Next for Aero Team Eindhoven?

At Aero Team Eindhoven, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of flight. While our current design still has room for growth and refinement, we will never stop innovating. Even when we reach the limits of one challenge, we’ll set our sights on the next frontier in aviation.