Aviation, Space and Technology Festival (TEKNOFEST), of which Anadolu Agency (AA) is the "Global Communication Partner" and carried out by the Ministry of Industry and Technology and the T3 Foundation, welcomes its visitors at Şanlıurfa GAP Airport.
Uludoğan, who graduated from Karabük University, Department of Computer Engineering and completed his master's degree on helicopters at Istanbul Technical University (ITU), participated in the Helicopter Design Competition organized within the scope of TEKNOFEST while he was a university student.
Uludoğan stated that he has been interested in helicopters and aviation since his childhood, and said that they participated in the competition in 2019 and competed in the quarter-final, semi-final and final stages.
Stating that the experience they gained in this process later turned into a journey of incorporation, Uludoğan stated that they started the Nano Class Unmanned Helicopter Project in 2023 with the support of TÜBİTAK 1501.
Uludoğan explained that the product they developed called "NanoAlp" is a high-tech, value-added product that has not been produced in Türkiye before and has a limited number of manufacturers in the world, and that they are working to meet the strategic need in this field.
Stating that they managed to commercialize the product after approximately 1.5-2 years of R&D process, Uludoğan said, "We were dreaming about the place we joined as students in 2019, saying 'one day we will join here as a company with an initiative'. Our dreams came true." he said.
Uludoğan stated that they introduced the product they developed to young people in the T3 Entrepreneurship Center tent at TEKNOFEST held in Şanlıurfa today, and said that they wanted their own stories to be an example for young people.
Expressing that the TEKNOFEST ecosystem provides them with an important network and contribution, Uludoğan noted that it is important to take part in different stages of the ecosystem, from student life to entrepreneurship and commercialization.
"A small soldier that can fit in a pocket"
Seyfeddin Cevdet Uludoğan stated that the nano-class unmanned helicopter they developed weighs less than 250 grams and can stay in the air for about half an hour.
Stating that the helicopter has a very low sound level, Uludoğan said that different sensors can be used together and that it has the ability to fly in environments where GPS is not available.
Explaining that the product can be used especially for military operations as well as search and rescue and reconnaissance in dangerous areas, Uludoğan said:
"We can call it a small soldier that can fit in a pocket. Because a soldier needs to enter where this cannot enter. For example, when you insert it into a cave where an operation will be carried out, it can measure gas with the sensors on it, show if there is a trap and transmit instant images."
Uludoğan stated that the device can continue its function even in environments where the signal can be interrupted, such as caves, and said that the system can contribute to reducing risks in operations.
Stating that the product can also be used in search and rescue operations, Uludoğan noted that instead of sending personnel to buildings at risk of collapse, preliminary exploration can be done with an unmanned helicopter, and areas with gas leaks in mines can be checked with the device.
"It can stay in the air for longer periods of time than drones"
Uludoğan stated that the main difference of the system they developed from classical drones is that it has helicopter mechanics, and that this allows it to stay in the air longer.
Stating that drones of this size can stay in the air for an average of 15 minutes, while their own products can fly for more than half an hour, Uludoğan said that sales of the product have started in both the domestic and foreign markets.
Uludoğan stated that the nano-class unmanned helicopter they developed was exported to the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Kazakhstan.
Stating that commercial negotiations with other countries are continuing, Uludoğan said that they aim to make new agreements by the end of the year.
Uludoğan stated that there are a limited number of equivalents of their products in the world, and that they offer products at more affordable prices compared to their foreign counterparts and that their ability to provide similar technical features attracts the attention of customers.
"TEKNOFEST instilled the spirit of 'we can do it too'"
Uludoğan stated that one of the most important effects of TEKNOFEST in Türkiye is that it gave young people the idea of "we can do it too".
Stating that he thinks that the idea of "we cannot do it" is more common in some areas in Türkiye during childhood and youth, Uludoğan stated that young people's self-confidence in the field of technology has increased with TEKNOFEST.
Uludoğan said, "Now, young people have become enthusiastic about 'we can do it too', 'we can do better', and even 'we can do something that has never been done'. I think this was the most important mission of TEKNOFEST and it achieved it." He said that they are one of the examples of this ecosystem.
Stating that they were very happy to see the interest and excitement of young people at TEKNOFEST, Uludoğan advised students and entrepreneurs not to give up their goals and continue their efforts.
Uludoğan pointed out that they were incorporated within 4 years from 2019 to 2023, and commercialized from 2023 to 2026, and that this is possible, and emphasized that young people should implement their own projects.
