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Inventor and Founder of Microdrones Receives the 2020 AIAA Aircraft Design Award


Udo Juerss, inventor of the world’s first commercial quadcopter and founder of Microdrones is being recognized for his ingenuity and collaboration by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Udo has been selected to receive the 2020 AIAA Aircraft Design Award.

This award is presented to an individual or team for an original concept or career contributions leading to a significant advancement in aircraft design or design technology.

Udo Juerss is being recognized for being the “father of modern quadcopter” and for working for more than 20 years designing, testing, and improving the premier aircraft of the aircraft design industry.

Microdrones inventor and founder, Udo Juerss, flying the md4-200, the first commercially released quadcopter for professional applications that was born from his early bet.

About AIAA

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 85 countries, and 95 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense.

The Aircraft Design Award was established in 1968 and is presented to an individual or team for an original concept or career contributions leading to a significant advancement in aircraft design or design technology. This annual award is presented at the AIAA Aviation and Aeronautics Forum.

To see a list of past recipients of the AIAA Aircraft Design Award CLICK HERE


Udo is a true visionary whose innovative approach to unmanned aerial flight literally took Microdrones to new heights. Our company wouldn’t be the leader in providing the most valuable UAS platforms in the world without his knowledge and expertise.

Microdrones President Vivien Heriard-Dubreuil

The World’s First Quadcopter

Mr. Juerss, on behalf of Microdrones, is nominated for the award since he holds the distinction of inventing the world’s first commercial quadcopter and advancing the progress of UAV technology. His early work with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft led him to the realization that a quadcopter design would provide more boost, stable flight, and easier maneuverability.

From humble beginnings working in his basement in the 1990’s, in Siegen, Germany, Juerss created a prototype quadcopter drone that quickly gained notoriety. When word got out about Udo's drone, people from many trades approached him asking if it could be used for applications in their industries. Realizing the great potential for professional markets, in 2005 Udo founded Microdrones with algorithmic master Jan Wendel, and aerodynamic expert, Daniel Schübeler.

Microdrones President Vivien Heriard-Dubreuil explains that, “Udo is a true visionary whose innovative approach to unmanned aerial flight literally took Microdrones to new heights. Our company wouldn’t be the leader in providing the most valuable UAS platforms in the world without his knowledge and expertise.”

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