An engineering studio for custom drones
B · Hive was born at the intersection of aeromechanics, autonomous navigation systems and regulatory compliance. We are a young project: we are building our capabilities around a first demonstrator and a rigorous, transparent way of working.
The aircraft is built around the mission.
Many organisations are forced to adapt their sensors and workflows to rigid, closed commercial platforms.
Our approach is the opposite: we start from the payload and the mission spec to define airframe, propulsion and avionics, relying on open standards (PX4, ROS 2, MAVLink) so the client keeps control of their stack over time.
No vendor lock-in
Open standards and protocols (PX4, ROS 2, MAVLink, DroneCAN): the client stays in control of their own system.
Real environments & regulation
Design for demanding operating conditions, with the EASA SORA methodology present from the spec onward.
Technical transparency
Design choices explained, test data shared, documentation that stays with the client.
Three engineers, one project
B · Hive is founded by three engineers with experience in the aerospace industry, based in Turin.
Lorenzo Petramale
Aerospace engineer
Avionics and safety-critical systems. Leads onboard architecture, autopilot integration and regulatory compliance.
Davide Graziano
Aerospace engineer
Human-machine interfaces and human factors. Leads the ground station, operating procedures and control-system usability.
Francesco Papaloto
Biomedical engineer — AI & neural networks
Perception, computer vision and autonomy. Leads onboard data processing and the AI models on the payload.
Our first demonstrator: a VTOL tailsitter
We are designing and building in-house a small VTOL tailsitter with a 3D-printed airframe and a PX4 flight stack. The goal is not a commercial product but a real testbed for our method: from the aerodynamic configuration to the hover/cruise transition, through to an instrumented flight campaign.
We will publish photos, flight data and design notes as the work progresses.
Progress
- Configuration & sizing — in progress
- 3D-printed airframe — prototyping the first parts
- Avionics integration and PX4 tuning — to start
- SITL simulation of the transition — to start
- First instrumented flight tests — planned
What we work on
An approach that covers the whole life cycle of the aircraft, from configuration to the flight campaign.
Aeromechanical & structural design
Aerodynamic and propulsion configuration, 3D modelling, sizing of lightweight airframes for multirotors, VTOL and fixed-wing aircraft.
Guidance, navigation & control
PX4 stack integration and tuning, redundant sensor architectures, MAVLink protocol and development of dedicated control logic.
Edge computing & payload
Companion computer integration (NVIDIA Jetson / ROS 2), computer vision, SLAM and synchronisation of the mission sensors.
Testing & regulatory compliance
Test-campaign planning, risk assessment with the EASA SORA methodology (SAIL I-IV) and preparation of operational documentation.
Ways of collaborating
We adapt to the type of project: from a focused task to the full development of an aircraft.
Project on commission
Development of an aircraft or a subsystem to the client’s spec, from feasibility to handover with technical documentation.
Integration & upgrade
Replacing or integrating autopilot, payload and communication links on existing platforms, toward open stacks.
Software & firmware development
PX4 modules, ROS 2 nodes, fail-safe logic and flight-data analysis tools, as a one-off or ongoing engagement.
Ground station & support
Customisation of QGroundControl or dedicated web interfaces, plus technical support for the client’s pilots and operators.