Modular Drone System for Morphing Wing Research
Traditional aircraft research is limited by slow and costly wing iteration cycles. ZEPHYR tackles this issue by introducing a flight-ready drone platform designed for quick integration and testing of novel wing concepts. By separating propulsion from lift generation and introducing a standardized modular wing interface, this system allows for streamlined wing exchange and scalable experimentation. The platform bridges the gap between conceptual wing designs and high-fidelity aerodynamic validation.
Mission
Zephyr develops a modular, multipurpose drone that serves as a flying laboratory for academia and industry.
This platform enables fast iteration and evaluation of novel aircraft technologies, shortening the path from concept to flight-proven innovation.
As a first case study, we investigate morphing wing structures, showcasing the platform’s ability to conduct high-value research with very short iteration cycles.
Technical goals
Modularity
Zephyr’s design allows fast swapping of wings and subsystems, while keeping other parameters constant, turning the drone into a flexible testbed for a wide range of aerodynamic and structural concepts.
Rapid Iteration
By drastically shortening the cycle from design to flight test, the platform enables researchers to evaluate ideas in real operating conditions within weeks rather than months.
Innovation
Zephyr serves as a bridge between academic research and industrial application, providing a real-world environment where emerging aerospace technologies can be validated and refined.
Morphing shape
Our first flagship demonstration is a morphing wing: a structure that changes its shape in flight to adapt to different aerodynamic needs—illustrating the platform’s potential for cutting-edge aerospace research.
Support us
The success of Zephyr depends on support from forward-thinking partners.
Whether through expertise, in-kind resources, or financial contributions, every form of support accelerates our mission.
We offer tailored sponsorship opportunities aligned with your strategic goals, and each sponsoring tier includes the benefits of the lower tiers.
Our team is ready to discuss how we can create a mutually rewarding partnership.
Interested? Contact us: lehmannjo@ethz.ch
Join us
Are you a student or researcher who wants to be part of next-generation aerospace innovation?
Zephyr offers opportunities for freelance contributors and follow-up projects: from technical R&D and engineering to web and media design.
Get in touch and help shape the future of adaptive flight!
Interested? Contact us: lehmannjo@ethz.ch