100 Show report | Xponential Europe 2025 TM-IT Systemhaus has launched Version 1.3 of its BeastFC flight controller, which is engineered to be a very small, lightweight system-on-module (SOM) device for UAVs with the highest SWaP requirements. “We’ve been producing flight controllers for 15 years, but most recently it was asked of us to create one for mass production and huge scalability, sized as a miniature module that can be directly placed onto PCBs as part of an industry-standard, automated, pick-and-place production line,” says Martin von Kameke from TM-IT. “The new BeastFC consists of a chip measuring 33 mm wide, 33 mm long and 0.5 cm tall, as well as 8 g in weight, with a shield on top and the complete electronics underneath, including Ethernet magnetics. That means one only needs to connect it to the circuit board. There’s no need for additional resistors, protection or anything.” It runs on an STM32H753 Cortex-M7 MCU and an Invensense IMU, integrating a compass, barometer and IMU heater (the latter ensuring an optimal performance environment for the inertial sensor). As well as featuring two CAN bus interfaces, 20 PWM ports, five serial ports, USB, Ethernet and more, the flight controller can also be supplied on a carrier board for users who do not produce or assemble their own. In addition to ensuring the supply of extremely small, lightweight components to fit the product’s tight form factor, TM-IT has worked to ensure the new BeastFC is NDAA-compliant using components from trusted and verifiable sources. “After manufacturing, we perform end-of-line inspections in which we test every pin, we flash the system and we perform calibration over the full temperature range,” von Kameke adds. “For software, we provide Ardupilot and PX4 support, and we also have an internal software development department that provides key technical support to our end-users.” The new BeastFC is commercially available with a one-week expected maximum waiting time for orders. Volz Servos is now mass producing its DA 14-N, which has been designed as a lower-priced, entry-friendly BLDC actuator for UAV manufacturers looking to move away from hobby-grade servos to ones with a higher-quality performance and lifespan, but still wanting something physically resembling them (particularly for ease of installation). “Unlike our other servos, which come in many variants and can really only be built to order, the DA 14-N comes in one version, which we’re manufacturing to have hundreds in storage so batches can be delivered at very short notice,” says Volz’s Paul Felber. “The DA 14-N weighs 28 g and costs about €300 (£250) per unit. However, as customisation is a key part of Volz’s business, we still offer a certain degree of modification for the DA 14-N, but only for high-volume orders.” Additionally, after the show, the company plans to unveil its DA 20-N actuator, which has been developed to suit customers for whom the company’s DA 15-N and DA 22-BLDC servos are, respectively, too small and too large. To develop the DA 20-N, Volz engineered a new gear-train design to suit its size and reliability standard, as well as a new CAN-based PCBA (with RS 485 connectivity). The new servo is rated to a continuous torque of 1 Nm and peak torque of 2 Nm, with further specifications to be released soon. Embention has released a vision-based navigation system for GNSS-denied environments, integrating a camera to generate a visual map of unjammable reference points, allowing UAVs to localise and guide themselves in flight. “We have seen many solutions on the market for visual navigation, but the problem is that most rely on Nvidia-based hardware. We know Nvidia does not support UAV certification at any stage. Instead, we’re using other processor technologies, which we aim to engineer for certifiability as part of our roadmap,” says Javier Espuch at Embention. The company has released a new update for its Veronte autopilot system, ensuring compliance with two new European regulations introduced in 2024 regarding UAV geofencing and geocaging. The former defines restricted no-go areas for UAVs, while the latter establishes designated only-go zones. “These regulations now require, depending on the type and size of the uncrewed aircraft, generally three layers of actions in the event of a geocage breach. First, the UAV must autonomously exit the restricted area. Secondly, if it can’t leave, it may deploy a parachute or take a similar safety action. Finally, as a last resort, the flight must be terminated,” Espuch explained. April/May 2025 | Uncrewed Systems Technology Volz Servos’ new DA 20-N has been designed as a medium-sized offering between its smaller DA 15-N and larger DA 26 servos
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