The startup Beagle Systems develops and operates long-range drones and recently received an extensive order from the HanseWerk Group, where it not only ensures safety but also reduces environmental impact. The team received significant business development support from beyourpilot – now Startup Port.
Since April 2024, the Hamburg-based startup Beagle Systems has been regularly flying over the entire high-pressure pipeline network of HanseGas, a subsidiary of HanseWerk AG, for inspection purposes. The aerial data service provider is thus completely replacing the previous regular helicopter flights.
The data recorded by Beagle Systems will be analysed by partner company Supervision.Earth from Darmstadt. The new solution includes monthly drone flights by Beagle Systems and daily satellite images. This innovative method enables a more accurate inspection of the pipeline network and significantly reduces the carbon footprint.
“We are pleased to expand our collaboration with Hansegas and to be contracted to fly the entire high-pressure pipeline network,” said Oliver Lichtenstein, co-founder and CEO of Beagle Systems. “To our knowledge, Hansegas is the first European pipeline operator to take the step away from helicopters and rely entirely on a drone solution.”
The contract with Hansegas was initially concluded for three years. Beagle Systems looks forward to a successful collaboration and the opportunity to utilise its technology to improve the safety of critical infrastructure.
Founding history and support
Together with his two co-founders Mitja Wittersheim and Jerry Tang and lawyer Dr Amos Münch as a strategic partner, Oliver Lichtenstein has specialised the start-up Beagle Systems in long-haul flights with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Beagle Systems applied for EXIST funding at the end of 2018 so that the team could dedicate themselves to the project full-time without having to work part-time: “I came across EXIST online. As we didn’t have the necessary university connection and the Nordakademie doesn’t support founders due to the dual system, we contacted Nils Neumann (then beyourpilot, now Startup Port). I was then approached by Helmut Schmidt University during a lecture: They were enthusiastic about the project and took on the mentorship. beyourpilot (from July 2023 under the Startup Port brand) gave us excellent support during the nine-month application process and is still at our side today,” Oliver reports in our Startup Story.
First ascent authorisation for flights without visual contact
In summer 2020, Beagle Systems received a general ascent permit for flights without visual contact in the state of Lower Saxony. This made it one of the first companies in Germany (and the EU) to receive a BVLOS long-haul flight permit. This has enabled the company to pursue its daily work as a drone-as-a-service provider. Since then, the start-up has also started to build a nationwide network of landing and charging stations for drones, from which they can be flown on demand to any location in Germany.
