Dronematrix

What Dronematrix does

DroneMatrix, founded in 2015 and headquartered in Hasselt, Belgium, is an end-to-end autonomous Drone-in-a-Box provider serving critical infrastructure operators across Europe. The product stack comprises two fully autonomous drone platforms (YACOB small-format and YETI medium-format), inductive-charging YEDO/YADO docking stations with HVAC and IP43 environmental protection, and the ARWS (Aerial Robotic Work System) cloud platform for mission planning, fleet management, telemetry, and VMS/UTM integration. Modular payloads include the AR100-H dual EO/IR gimbal, 40x optical zoom camera, AR digital radio repeater, and drop-payload modules. Operations are BVLOS with redundant communications (Wi-Fi, 4G/5G LTE, Starlink), geofencing, 4D route planning, automatic flight termination, and safety parachute.

The company operates on a Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS) model packaged in 20, 40, or 60-day operational bundles, supplemented by hardware sales, professional services (training, upgrades, custom use cases), and Counter-UAS solutions developed with Nordic Unmanned and Senhive. Customers include port authorities (Port of Antwerp-Bruges with a renewed contract through 2027 and a world-first BVLOS D-Hive network covering 120+ km²), rail (Infrabel under a 9-year framework), energy, defense (Belgian Defence readiness, DEFRA program), research (University of Antwerp), and enterprise security clients. DroneMatrix manufactures in-house in Diepenbeek and a newly opened Limburg defense-oriented drone factory, holds LUC privileges enabling cross-sector European operations, and operates within the 6th NeTWorK consortium with Proximus (5G) and SkeyDrone (UTM and risk monitoring).

Following the financial collapse of former parent Nordic Unmanned in early 2025, DroneMatrix restructured under a Belgian-Norwegian partnership (Vanwelkenhuyzen family 30%, Norwegian investors 70%) with €1 million in combined debt conversion and new capital, retaining CEO Lander Vanwelkenhuyzen and Managing Director Jacques Nel while continuing remote flight operations from Nordic Unmanned's Norway command center.

Name

Dronematrix

Legal name

NU Drone Matrix

Website

https://dronematrix.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

DroneMatrix is a Belgian provider of autonomous Drone-in-a-Box systems, including YACOB and YETI drones, YEDO docking stations, and the ARWS cloud platform, serving ports, rail, energy, and defense customers across Europe through a Drone-as-a-Service model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Autonomous Drone Systems

NAICS

Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), UAS Launch/Recovery & Support Equipment (Catapults, Nets, Docking) (IMABAIAN), UAS Integration, Certification & Compliance Systems (Remote ID, Detect-and-Avoid) (IMABAIAO), Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Systems & Drone Defense (IMABAIAG), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)

Keywords

• Autonomous drone systems
• Drone-in-a-box
• Drone-as-a-service
• Aerial surveillance
• Industrial drone operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Hasselt

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS): Full end-to-end drone service provision where DroneMatrix handles all technical, regulatory, and operational aspects. Services are packaged in operational days (20, 40, or 60-day packages) covering feasibility studies, authorization, installation, training, and ongoing operations.
2. Hardware and Software Solutions: Sale of proprietary drone systems (YACOB, YETI), docking stations (YEDO), and software platforms (ARWS) along with modular payloads including cameras, sensors, and specialized equipment.
3. Professional Services: Training services for becoming certified DroneMatrix technicians, upgrade support for fleet modernization, and custom use case development for specialized requirements.
4. Counter UAV Solutions: Detection and disruption technologies for counter-drone operations including radar systems, infrared cameras, jamming devices, and integrated C-UAS solutions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

DroneMatrix designs, manufactures, and operates autonomous Drone-in-a-Box systems for critical infrastructure customers. Its product portfolio comprises the YACOB (small) and YETI (medium) drone platforms, YEDO/YADO docking stations, and the ARWS cloud-based mission control platform. The company delivers these capabilities primarily through a Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS) model, handling end-to-end feasibility, regulatory authorization, installation, training, and ongoing BVLOS operations for ports, rail, energy, defense, and research clients across Europe.

Product overview

DroneMatrix is Europe's leading end-to-end autonomous Drone-in-a-Box Solution provider. The product portfolio centers on two drone platforms—YACOB (small) and YETI (medium)—both operating from YEDO/YADO docking stations, managed through the Aerial Robotic Work System (ARWS) cloud platform. The system supports modular payloads including the AR100-H Dual Micro Gimbal HD, AR Indago 4 Heimdal Gimbal, 40x optical zoom camera, AR Repeater digital radio, and AR Indago Drop payload. The company operates on a Drone-as-a-Service (DAAS) model, providing end-to-end solutions from feasibility and authorization through installation and ongoing operations. Key applications include port services, security, and inspection services for critical infrastructure operators.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• YACOB Drone-In-A-Box System Small-sized fully autonomous Drone-In-A-Box system capable of executing missions such as surveillance patrol, inspection, mapping, logistics, and transport. Features modular payloads including high-resolution camera, infra-red camera, and multispectral sensors. Designed for enterprise customers requiring persistent autonomous aerial operations.
• YETI Drone-In-A-Box System Medium-sized fully autonomous Drone-In-A-Box system, the larger sibling of YACOB with extended flight times and payload capacity. Capable of executing missions including surveillance patrol, inspection, mapping, logistics, and transport. Supports modular payloads such as 4K RGB 20x zoom camera, LWIR, high-definition mapping camera, multispectral camera, sniffer, hyperspectral camera, and spectrometer.
• Aerial Robotic Work System (ARWS) Cloud-based software platform integrating drone and docking station networks for seamless mission planning, asset management, and real-time operations. Provides fleet management, mission control, video streaming, API connectors for third-party integration, and supports UTM and telecom connectivity. Enables continuous area coverage and AI-driven situational awareness for enterprise customers.
• YEDO/YADO Docking Station Air-conditioned ground station that protects drones from meteorological conditions. Features extendable funnel for autonomous takeoff and landing, wireless inductive charging, and serves as a communication hub. IP43-rated protection against environmental factors. Connected to weather station and fog sensors for safe flight evaluation. Includes HVAC stabilization (20°C-25°C), backup batteries (6 hours operation during power failure), and multiple communication systems (WiFi, 4G/5G LTE, Starlink) with automatic failover.
• AR100-H Dual Micro Gimbal HD Dual micro gimbal with 10x optical/80x digital zoom daylight camera and radiometric thermal image camera (non-ITAR). Features real-time fusion of Full HD daylight and thermal imagery (EO/IR) for situational awareness. Includes IR target marking laser pointer and time-synchronized raw data evaluation. Enables detection in complex terrain and lighting conditions.
• AR Indago 4 Heimdal Gimbal Payload developed by AirRobot offering software and hardware integration. Designed for compatibility with third-party systems with flexibility and performance. Shares technical foundations with the AR100-H Dual Micro Gimbal.
• 40x Optical Zoom Camera Lightweight payload enabling target reconnaissance from up to 300 metres distance. Features 40x optical/2x digital zoom daylight camera with tracking capability. Provides support for covert investigations.
• AR Repeater Digital Radio Payload extending digital radio communication range for authorities and security organizations. Supports police, THW, fire brigade, and military communications in urban areas, forests, and other challenging environments. Expands operational radius.
• AR Indago Drop Payload Payload enabling drone to drop sensors in hard-to-reach places. Allows delivery of sensing equipment to locations that are difficult to access directly.
• Drone-Enabled Port Solutions (Drone-as-a-Service) Complete ready-to-deploy service for ports using drone-in-a-box technology. Includes feasibility study, authorization checks, installation, testing & training, and operations. Flexible service packages of 20, 40, or 60 days of drone operations covering berth management, incident response, security patrols, oil spill detection, and environmental monitoring. Targeted at port authorities and critical infrastructure operators.
• Counter-UAS (C-UAS) Solutions Detection and disruption technologies for counter-drone operations including radar systems, infrared cameras, jamming devices, and integrated C-UAS solutions. Positioned as a systems integrator for counter-drone technology for enterprise and government customers.
• Professional Services and Training Training services for becoming certified DroneMatrix technicians, upgrade support for fleet modernization, and custom use case development for specialized enterprise requirements.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30+ daily operational flights in critical environments
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability8 records

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• University of AntwerpcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 April 2025Project delivery and partnership for climate research. YETI drone deployed to De Inslag forest in Brasschaat with seven advanced sensors for gathering environmental data. Research initiative aims to improve understanding of tree health and climate change response. This represents a first-of-its-kind integrated sensor setup for ecological monitoring.
• 6th NeTWorK Consortium (DroneMatrix, Proximus, SkeyDrone)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2023The 6th NeTWorK consortium was founded at the end of 2020 by hardware/software developer DroneMatrix, telecom operator Proximus, and drone air traffic service provider SkeyDrone. The consortium implements drone solutions from a service model where drones perform missions 'as a service' for business purposes, working together on drone network development. Proximus provides state-of-the-art 5G network infrastructure and cloud-based services. SkeyDrone provides continuous monitoring of operational ground and air risks with integration of static and dynamic data sources.
• InfrabelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 20239-year framework contract for automated Drone-in-a-Box solutions for video surveillance of rail vehicle handling in the Port of Antwerp area and other Belgian regions. The contract consists of 4 years of supply and 9 years of service. DroneMatrix serves as the main contractor providing complete solutions.
• Port of Antwerp-BrugescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2023Launched D-Hive drone-in-a-box network at Port of Antwerp-Bruges - a world first BVLOS drone network in a complex industrial environment. Six autonomous drones provide daily flights covering the 120+ km² port area for berth management, monitoring, infrastructure inspections, oil spill detection, and security support. The port authority works directly with DroneMatrix as the drone technology expert and end-to-end partner.
• RiskMatrix GroupminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2015DroneMatrix grew from the RiskMatrix group, which founded the company in 2015. Represents the origin of the company's drone technology development.
• Nordic Unmanned AScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordic Unmanned AS operates the drone flights remotely from their command center in Norway, demonstrating cross-border drone operations. The partnership provides operational flight management capabilities and access to the broader Nordic Unmanned ecosystem. Nordic Unmanned was a key investing shareholder and former parent company.
• ProximuscoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides state-of-the-art 5G network infrastructure in the Port of Antwerp area. Delivers cloud-based services for hosting the 6th NeTWorK platform and brings specific expertise in IoT and analytics. 5G network on 3.5GHz spectrum enables high-speed, low-latency connectivity crucial for optimal drone operation and 4K live image transmission.
• SkeyDronecoreTechnology or IntegrationProvides continuous monitoring of operational ground and air risks. Developed the BVLOS framework approved by BCAA and EASA. Integrates various static and dynamic data sources including air traffic and ship position data to determine safest and efficient flight routes. Automates flight authorization process via data platform integration with Unifly's UTM platform.
• Belgian DefenceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDroneMatrix announced readiness to deliver field-proven, scalable drone systems to Belgian Defence. Company is expanding from securing critical infrastructure to supporting national defense efforts. Also participating in DEFRA program for developing fully autonomous maritime surveillance drones.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Percepto: Israel/US-based drone-in-a-box vendor offering autonomous inspection and monitoring for industrial sites (ports, energy, mining). Directly comparable to DroneMatrix in product category (DIAb), customer verticals (critical infrastructure), and DaaS go-to-market.
• Azur Drones: French autonomous drone-in-a-box provider (SkeyDrone/ATUSA lineage) focused on security, surveillance and industrial inspection in Europe. Closest direct European competitor to DroneMatrix in DIAb for ports and critical infrastructure.
• American Robotics (Ondas Holdings): US-based drone-in-a-box operator (Optimus system) acquired by Ondas, focused on industrial and critical infrastructure autonomous BVLOS operations. Directly comparable DIAb product category with regulatory-first model similar to DroneMatrix's LUC/BVLOS strategy.
• Skydio: US autonomous drone leader expanding from defense/public safety into inspection and dock-based autonomy. Comparable in autonomy, AI, and enterprise critical-infrastructure positioning, with broader capital resources.
• DJI Dock (DJI Enterprise): Market-leading Chinese drone maker's dock-based autonomy product line (DJI Dock, Dock 2, Dock 3). Competes with DroneMatrix on DIAb hardware for inspection and security, with significantly broader scale and pricing power.

Broad incumbents

• Parrot: European drone manufacturer with ANAFI platform serving defense, security and inspection. Comparable in vertical and geography but operates as a broader OEM rather than a DIAb specialist, overlapping with DroneMatrix in European security and inspection use cases.
• Thales: Major European aerospace and defense prime with UAS, counter-UAS and airspace management capabilities. Comparable in defense and security end markets DroneMatrix is entering via Belgian Defence and DEFRA, but operates at vastly greater scale across a broader portfolio.
• Teledyne FLIR: US-based provider of thermal imaging, drone payloads and integrated unmanned solutions for defense, industrial and public safety. Comparable payload/sensor stack to DroneMatrix's AR100-H EO/IR gimbal, with broader incumbent positioning.

Emerging players

• SkeyDrone: Belgian drone airspace and UTM services provider that co-developed the EASA-approved BVLOS framework used at Port of Antwerp with DroneMatrix. Highly relevant as a regulatory and operational partner, with potential to evolve into a competing DIAb integrator in the same Belgian ecosystem.

Others

• Nordic Unmanned: Norwegian drone operator that was DroneMatrix's former parent and remains the remote flight operator of Port of Antwerp-Bruges missions. Comparable in operational drone services and defense focus; the two are now partners rather than a single entity after Nordic Unmanned's 2025 financial collapse.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dronematrix
• Instagraminstagram.com/nordicunmanned

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Dronematrix