Charlotte startup Lucid Drone's founders realized quickly they would have to switch focus to stay afloat as businesses began bracing for impact from COVID-19.
The company, which connects power-pressure washers to drones for safer cleaning of building exteriors, was founded in 2017 by Andrew Ashur, David Danielson and Adrian Mayans while they attended Davidson College.
Ashur said in early March, they went on a company-wide, 14-day quarantine after someone came in contact with the virus. It was during that period that they were able to brainstorm an alternative use for their drone technology.
"Very early on, we were feeling unsettled and thinking about what we were going to do during this time," he said. "We were scratching our heads and trying to put the situation in context."
They decided the best way to keep Lucid Drone up and running while helping to combat COVID-19 was to use repurpose their drones. Ashur said they then began talking with various partners to figure out a way to disburse sanitation solutions to minimize the virus' impact---with a focus in the inside of buildings.
"The greatest value we have is our tech," he said. "We're using drones to apply chemical solutions... We found a solution that sanitizes surfaces and provides a protective coat for up to 28 days."
The solution, Zetrisil by ESC Brands, breaks down contagions on surfaces we come into contact with regularly, including fabrics and closed-container foods, Ashur said. Zetrisil is registered with the Environmental Protection Agency, and is a non-hazardous, non-irritant solution.
"We started this company because of humanitarian concerns. Now we’re seeing an opportunity to pivot and repurpose the tech we have to make an even more significant impact," he said. "We're trying to sanitize in a much more efficient manor, and maybe help get America back to work, because as we start to ease these guidelines, there will be trepidation about returning to normalcy."
Ashur said his team has been working in tandem with the EPA and Federal Aviation Administration to ensure all federal regulations are met. Because indoor flights aren't FAA regulated, they've been able to complete several rounds of testing on large indoor surfaces.
To test effectiveness, Ashur said the Zetrisil, along with a household-grade cleaning solution, was sprayed on a surface. The next day, the Zetrisil-covered area was still contagion-free, while the area sprayed with the regular cleaner was not.
Ashur said spaces like warehouses, manufacturing plants and gymnasiums, where people gather in large groups, will be the first areas ready for sanitation.
"We have a very broad vision for this. We’re speaking with various branches of the military and looking to nationalize the solution and do so as quickly as possible," he said. "Our end goal is, if there’s no vaccine, we want to find a way to deploy the drones to sanitize these areas where people are congregating."
The company has continued testing to ensure consistent results, and Ashur is confident in the solution's effectiveness.
"We have now repeatedly demonstrated that we can effectively spray sanitation solutions from our drones and effectively reduce contagions that are present on a surface," he said. "We are continuing to test and put together additional documentation for customers... other cleaning companies that want to lease our technology, as well as general drone sanitation interest for military applications."
Lucid Drone was named a 2019 Inno on Fire winner.
