ECS-DoT Chip Extends Drone Flight from 60 to 80 Minutes Without Hardware Changes

Breakthrough in Drone Flight Efficiency

Nanoveu Limited’s subsidiary, Embedded A.I. Systems (EMASS), has unveiled a promising advancement in drone technology by demonstrating a 33% increase in simulated flight time using its ECS-DoT system-on-chip (SoC). This leap was achieved without any modifications to the drone’s battery or airframe, a notable feat that highlights the potential of embedded artificial intelligence to enhance drone endurance purely through smarter control.

The ECS-DoT chip operates at an ultra-low power consumption level, under one milliwatt, allowing it to perform complex “sense–think–act” cycles at 50 Hz. This means the chip can continuously optimize the drone’s throttle and blade pitch in real time, adapting to flight conditions to conserve energy and extend mission duration. In simulation, this translated to extending flight time from 60 to 80 minutes on a lightweight drone model.

How the Technology Works

The chip’s embedded AI leverages two key components, a surrogate-driven power prediction model and a reinforcement learning-based optimization algorithm. The surrogate model predicts power demand based on flight dynamics, reducing over-thrust events by approximately 25%. Meanwhile, the reinforcement learning algorithm fine-tunes control inputs to maximize energy efficiency, improving flight distance per watt by around 20%. Together, these AI engines enable the drone to fly longer without sacrificing stability or responsiveness.

Importantly, all AI computations occur onboard, eliminating the need for external processing and preserving battery capacity exclusively for propulsion and essential sensors. This edge-computing approach positions ECS-DoT as a compelling solution for commercial drone applications where power efficiency and autonomy are critical, including industrial inspection, logistics, precision agriculture, and defense.

Next Steps Toward Real-World Deployment

Building on these simulation successes, Nanoveu plans to refine its AI models to target flight time improvements of 40–70% under diverse mission conditions. Extensive simulation testing will validate performance across varying payloads, weather, and battery states. The company also intends to expand testing to heavier drones, including fixed-wing and VTOL platforms, to demonstrate scalability.

Crucially, live flight trials are slated for the near future, aiming to confirm the chip’s benefits in real-world environments. These trials will also showcase advanced features such as precision landing and coordinated formation flying. Nanoveu’s leadership sees ECS-DoT as a next-generation control platform that could reshape the drone industry by delivering smarter, longer-lasting, and more autonomous flight capabilities.

With the global drone market projected to more than double in value by 2030, Nanoveu’s embedded AI technology could carve out a significant competitive advantage. However, the transition from simulation to operational deployment will be the true test of ECS-DoT’s commercial viability and impact.