Hector (Haofeng) Xu, after years of studying aviation and aerospace engineering, elected to develop a safer form of helicopter flight following several nerve-wracking experiences in the air. In 2021, he formed Rotor Technologies, Inc., an autonomous helicopter firm dedicated to making the routine missions of small aircraft safer through advanced technology. The company retrofits existing helicopters with sensors and software designed to automate the most dangerous tasks, reducing the typically high risk associated with such flights.
Rotor’s autonomous helicopters have improved flight capabilities compared to traditional battery-operated drones, including increased payload capacity and operational longevity. By retrofitting an existing, time-tested helicopter model, Rotor has rapidly commercialized and already started hosting demonstration flights at its headquarters in Nashua, New Hampshire. The autonomous aircraft, designed for efficiency and safety, are set to hit the market later this year.
Xu completed his undergraduate studies at Cambridge University and graduated from MIT, where he currently serves as a research affiliate in the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. His experiences at both institutions have shaped his technical vision substantially. Rotor’s team consists of numerous MIT affiliates, highlighting the influence of the institution on its creation and success.
In its operations, Rotor cooperates with the Robinson Helicopter Company, a well-established aircraft manufacturer. By retrofitting Robinson’s time-tested aircraft instead of constructing their own, Rotor can ensure product familiarity for potential customers.
Their retrofit includes a “fly-by-wire” system, advanced communication tools, and sensors. The long-term goal is to completely eliminate the need for onboard pilots, instead utilizing advanced aircraft-ground communication systems. Rotor also offers round-the-clock flight monitoring through its Cloudpilot system, which allows for human supervision of all autonomous flight operations.
Rotor’s R550X aircraft are capable of payloads up to 1,212 pounds, can exceed 120 miles per hour, and have optional fuel tanks to prolong flight duration. This has piqued interest from customers looking to increase flight safety and time. Rotor additionally hopes the aircraft will support new applications that were previously considered dangerous or were technically unfeasible with human pilots.
Plans for the remainder of the year include selling several aircraft and gradually expanding production to between 50 and 100 units per year. Ultimately, Xu dreams of Rotor playing an instrumental role in enabling safer, more affordable vertical aircraft transport, positively impacting daily life and personal mobility.
