CENTRAL COAST ENTREPRENEURS FLYING HIGH
Central Coast entrepreneurs Deanne and Rowan Watkins have captured the attention of defence and civil aerospace markets with their breakthrough ‘StopRotor’ drone technology.
NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Small Business and Skills, John Barilaro, said the innovative new technology is a great example of small businesses in NSW creating new technology to meet the demands of modern workplaces.
“The StopRotor is a brilliant NSW invention designed to solve a longstanding limitation in aerospace and target the top end of the small UAV market,” he said.
“StopRotor Unmanned Aerial Systems have generated a lot of commercial interest particularly in areas of environmental surveys, coastal protection and supporting public safety.
“This is one of the most exciting new companies in NSW and was last month named one of Australia’s top five startups at a Mass Challenge, start-up accelerator, event in the United States, supported by the NSW Government through Jobs for NSW.”
Earlier this month StopRotor joined the NSW cohort at the Avalon International Airshow where it won the Best Innovation – Aerospace Award.
StopRotor’s Deanne Watkins said its unique design allows the UAV to take off and hover like a helicopter and but also reach speeds of 110km/h for up to 10 hours.
“Not only does the StopRotor have outstanding manoeuvrability and endurance it is larger than many drones at three metres long, 20 kilograms and a two metre wingspan,” Ms Watkins said.
“The MassChallenge experience sharpened our company’s focus plus provided valuable business mentoring and global contacts. Avalon was fantastic and absolutely pivotal for getting us in front of the civil and defence sectors.”