About

Superwake, founded in 2019 and based in Toronto, Ontario, is a Canadian drone manufacturer and operator specializing in long-range, solar-electric fixed-wing drones. The company’s flagship product, the SW-117, has been used to conduct the world’s largest commercial drone surveys, covering more than 6,500 linear kilometers in extreme conditions including heavy snow and sub-zero temperatures. Superwake is pioneering scalable aerial robotics solutions that make large-scale data collection safer, faster, and more efficient across multiple industries, including mineral exploration.

Project

With support from the CIT Development and Commercialization program and Cambrian College Centre for Smart Mining, Superwake is developing an onboard detect-and-avoid system to enable safe beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. This project will focus on designing and validating onboard hardware and system configurations that allow drones to operate safely at scale while minimizing power consumption and weight. By advancing detect-and-avoid capabilities, the project positions Superwake to expand its role as a leader in large-scale drone surveys, supporting safer and more efficient aerial operations for critical industries such as mining and infrastructure.

Impact

The project will deliver a validated, market-ready platform capable of performing long-range BVLOS missions across Canada’s most remote and challenging environments. Outcomes include improved safety, reduced regulatory barriers for drone adoption, and expanded use of aerial robotics in sectors such as mining, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure development. For Ontario, the project will create new high-skill jobs, drive export-ready drone technology, and strengthen the province’s leadership in the fast-growing UAV industry.