Wingtra
Wingtra is a Zurich company that makes vertical take-off and landing drones for aerial surveying and mapping, founded in 2016 by Basil Weibel, Maximilian Boosfeld and Elias Mueggler from ETH Zurich's Autonomous Systems Lab. It says it is the world's largest producer of commercial VTOL drones. The WingtraOne takes off vertically like a helicopter, flies as a fixed-wing aircraft for efficient coverage and lands vertically again, capturing survey-grade data for geospatial professionals. The second-generation WingtraOne Gen II launched in 2021, followed by lidar payloads and the WingtraRAY, its current flagship, which combines drone hardware, precise sensors, GNSS positioning and connected software in one workflow for planning, capture, processing and data handoff. Wingtra has raised about US$63.3 million across four rounds, including a US$5.8 million round in 2018, a US$10 million Series A and a €23 million B1 round led by a Polish family office, and employs close to 200 people in Zurich, Fort Lauderdale and Zagreb.
💡Notable Achievement: Wingtra has raised about US$63.3 million and calls itself the largest producer of commercial VTOL drones.
What Does Wingtra Do?
Wingtra is an ETH Zurich spin-off making vertical take-off survey drones, from the WingtraONE to the WingtraRAY workflow platform.
“Survey-grade mapping drones that take off vertically.”
VTOL Efficiency
Vertical take-off and fixed-wing coverage.
WingtraRAY
Hardware, sensors, GNSS and software together.
Growth
About 200 staff in three offices.
What Can Wingtra Robots Actually Do?
Cross-portfolio operational capabilities, manipulation tasks, and environmental competencies
Aerial survey and mapping.
Aerial Mapping
VTOL drones capture survey-grade data.
Wingtra Robots
Showing 2 of 2 total models
WingtraONE
By: Wingtra
Launched: 2021
The WingtraONE is a professional tailsitter VTOL mapping drone designed for high-precision aerial surveying and data capture. Featuring a 125 cm wingspan and 800 g payload capacity, it supports interchangeable cameras like the 42 MP Sony RX1RII full-frame sensor for RGB photogrammetry, multispectral options for agriculture, and LiDAR for 3D modeling. With up to 59 minutes flight time at 16 m/s cruise speed, it covers vast areas efficiently in winds up to 12 m/s sustained. Vertical takeoff and landing requires minimal 2x2 m space, enabling operations in confined sites. PPK ensures cm-level accuracy without ground control points. Robust construction handles -10 to 40°C temperatures and high altitudes up to 5000 m. Integrated software provides autonomous mission planning, real-time monitoring, and seamless data processing for surveying, mining, construction, and environmental monitoring applications.
WingtraRAY
By: Wingtra
Launched: 2025
The WingtraRAY is a modular tailsitter VTOL survey drone engineered for high-precision mapping and surveying tasks. Featuring vertical takeoff and landing, it deploys from confined spaces without runways, achieving adaptive cruise speeds of 16-22 m/s for efficient coverage up to 550 ha per flight at 120 m altitude with the MAP61 sensor. With a 59-minute max flight time for RGB/multispectral payloads and 45 minutes for LiDAR, it supports tool-less payload swaps in under 30 seconds, including 61 MP RGB, multispectral, and LiDAR options. PPK GNSS ensures centimeter-grade accuracy without GCPs, while IP53 weather resistance and certified parachute enhance safety. Ideal for large-scale topography, agriculture, and infrastructure inspection, its fixed-wing efficiency combined with modular design delivers survey-grade results faster than competitors.
Wingtra Timeline & Milestones
Evolutionary history, landmark prototypes, major acquisitions, and commercial roadmap
Wingtra founded as an ETH Zurich spin-off
Basil Weibel, Maximilian Boosfeld and Elias Mueggler found Wingtra from ETH Zurich's Autonomous Systems Lab to build VTOL mapping drones.
Source: startupticker.ch
US$5.8 million extra funding
Wingtra raises an additional US$5.8 million in January 2018 to accelerate growth of its vertical take-off drone.
Source: startupticker.ch
WingtraOne Gen II launched
Wingtra launches the second-generation WingtraOne Gen II survey drone.
Source: wingtra.com
Wingtra Competitors by Category
Direct industry rivals grouped by specific robotics domain
What Makes Wingtra Different?
Editorial AnalysisOrigin of Bots objective strategic assessment, engineering moats, and commercial hurdles
Key Strengths & Moats
- ✓Leading VTOL mapping drone maker.
- ✓Well funded.
Core Strategic Focus
RAY workflow and lidar.
Road Ahead & Challenges
- •DJI competes in surveying.
- •Specialised market.
Wingtra vs Key Competitors
Strategic capability matrix across platform categories, commercial readiness, and target markets
Category / Focus
- WingtraRAY
- VTOL survey drone
- WingtraONE
- VTOL survey drone
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- Enterprise drone
- Skydio X10
- Enterprise drone
Primary Use
- WingtraRAY
- Surveying, agriculture
- WingtraONE
- Photogrammetry, topographic mapping
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- Surveying, inspection
- Skydio X10
- Public safety, infrastructure inspection
Weight
- WingtraRAY
- 5.2 kg
- WingtraONE
- 3.7 kg (Empty); 4.5 kg (Max Takeoff Weight)
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- 6.47 kg (with 2x TB65 batteries)
- Skydio X10
- 2.11 kg (Connect SL); 2.49 kg (Max Takeoff Weight)
Release Year
- WingtraRAY
- 2025
- WingtraONE
- 2021
- DJI Matrice 350 RTK
- 2023
- Skydio X10
- 2023
| Strategic Dimension | WingtraRAY | WingtraONE | DJI Matrice 350 RTK | Skydio X10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Category / Focus | VTOL survey drone | VTOL survey drone | Enterprise drone | Enterprise drone |
| Primary Use | Surveying, agriculture | Photogrammetry, topographic mapping | Surveying, inspection | Public safety, infrastructure inspection |
| Weight | 5.2 kg | 3.7 kg (Empty); 4.5 kg (Max Takeoff Weight) | 6.47 kg (with 2x TB65 batteries) | 2.11 kg (Connect SL); 2.49 kg (Max Takeoff Weight) |
| Release Year | 2025 | 2021 | 2023 | 2023 |
Corporate Ecosystem & Ownership Structure
Parent company relationships, historical acquisitions, and global operating facilities
ETH Zurich
Spun out of the Autonomous Systems Lab in 2016.
Ownership & Acquisition History
Spun out of the Autonomous Systems Lab in 2016.
Global Facilities & Operating Hubs
Wingtra Headquarters
HQZurich, Switzerland
Articles & Industry News
Showing 2 recent articles and news updates about Wingtra
WingtraONE Covers 1,300 Acres in 57 Minutes with CAT 3 Cert
News about WingtraONE
WingtraRAY Achieves FAA Category 3 Approval for Over-People Flights
News about WingtraRAY
Frequently Asked Questions
8 AnswersVerified answers, company specifications, and deployment details about Wingtra
What is Wingtra?
Wingtra is a Zurich company, founded in 2016 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, that makes VTOL drones for surveying and mapping, including the WingtraOne and WingtraRAY.
Who founded Wingtra?
Basil Weibel, Maximilian Boosfeld and Elias Mueggler founded Wingtra from ETH Zurich's Autonomous Systems Lab in 2016. Wingtra is a Zurich company that makes vertical take-off and landing drones for aerial surveying and mapping, founded in 2016 by Basil Weibel, Maximilian Boosfeld and Elias Mueggler from ETH Zurich's Autonomous Systems Lab.
What is the WingtraOne?
The WingtraOne is a VTOL drone that takes off and lands vertically and flies as a fixed-wing aircraft to capture survey-grade aerial data efficiently.
What is the WingtraRAY?
The WingtraRAY is Wingtra's current flagship platform, combining drone hardware, precise sensors, GNSS positioning and connected software in one geospatial workflow.
How much funding has Wingtra raised?
Wingtra has raised about US$63.3 million in total across four rounds, including a US$22 million round and a €23 million B1 round led by a Polish family office.
How big is Wingtra?
Wingtra employs close to 200 people, with offices in Zurich, Fort Lauderdale in the United States and Zagreb in Croatia.
When did the WingtraOne Gen II launch?
The second-generation WingtraOne Gen II launched in 2021, and later products added lidar payloads and the WingtraRAY. Wingtra is a Zurich company that makes vertical take-off and landing drones for aerial surveying and mapping, founded in 2016 by Basil Weibel, Maximilian Boosfeld and Elias Mueggler from ETH Zurich's Autonomous Systems Lab.
Where is Wingtra based?
Wingtra is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. Wingtra is a Zurich company that makes vertical take-off and landing drones for aerial surveying and mapping, founded in 2016 by Basil Weibel, Maximilian Boosfeld and Elias Mueggler from ETH Zurich's Autonomous Systems Lab.
Verified Data & Editorial Assurance
Compiled from verified corporate filings, official Wingtra datasheets, and robotics engineering registries. Information has been verified against official manufacturer documentation. For commercial procurement or proprietary integrations, contact the manufacturer directly.