The AIr™ Patent
AIr™ is built upon a globally granted method patent (EP3077882B1 & intl. counterparts) that protects the core process of transforming drones into autonomous cleaning tools using airflow. The patent secures the intellectual property for using sensor-based autonomous alignment to clean surfaces without physical contact, water, or chemicals.
Intellectual Property
The foundational claim of the patent reads:
“Method for controlling a flying body for cleaning surfaces, comprising a sensor system for the detection of geometrical characteristics of an object and the alignment of a flying body according to said object in order to clean it using the airflow of said flying body.”
This claim defines a process where drones equipped with sensors autonomously detect and align themselves with surfaces to clean them with their own airflow. The method enables precision cleaning while avoiding physical contact.
First to File
When this patent was filed on July 5th, 2014, drones rarely featured the sensor systems required for precise autonomous alignment, making the method highly novel and non-obvious. Its prior art position was subsequently tested — and further supported — when a former Microsoft CTO was named among the inventors of two related UAV airflow cleaning patents (US9468951B2, US9993852B2) and a European counterpart (EP3183170), all with a priority date of August 20, 2014, postdating AIr™.
These related later-filed patents were granted by the USPTO and EPO, further supporting the patentability of drone airflow cleaning as a distinct method. Following proceedings at the EPO, the European counterpart was not renewed, and the related US apparatus patents later lapsed.
Commercial Scope
The AIr™ patent provides protection for UAVs performing non-contact surface cleaning tasks using sensor-guided airflow alignment across industries including solar energy, agriculture, industrial maintenance, public infrastructure, and space exploration.
Licensing this patented method enables businesses to leverage existing drones equipped with standard sensors to enter new markets, respond effectively to tenders requiring innovative cleaning solutions, and gain advantages in sustainability-driven industries.
Global Protection
The AIr™ method is granted and active across major global markets.
Australia: AU2015285989B2
Canada: CA2991533C
China: CN106537274B
Europe: EP3077882B1
Hong Kong: HK1237899
India: IN499859
Saudi Arabia: SA11961
United States: US10046857B2
IP Licensing
The AIr™ method can be licensed to parties across multiple verticals, i.g. hardware OEMs, software developers, and enterprise facility managers. Agreements can be structured by:
- Field of Use
- Territory
- Duration
- Exclusivity
Licensing FAQ
Disclaimer: This section addresses common commercial questions and legal constellations regarding the AIr™ patent portfolio. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific inquiries regarding potential infringement or licensing, please consult a qualified IP attorney.
What activities constitute patent infringement?
Patent infringement occurs when an unauthorized party makes, uses, sells, offers for sale, or imports into protected jurisdictions a method containing all essential elements described in at least one granted claim. Infringement can be direct (performing the method yourself), indirect (enabling others to perform it), or contributory (supplying components specifically intended for use in practicing the method).
Are there enhanced penalties for knowing infringement?
Yes. Willful infringement involves knowingly using patented technology commercially without authorization despite awareness of its existence. Induced infringement involves actively encouraging or facilitating another party’s infringement. Both constellations can result in significantly enhanced damages if established legally.
Can the patent be circumvented?
To legally circumvent this patent, an alternative method must avoid at least one essential element of the core claim — for example, by not using drone-generated airflow as the cleaning mechanism. Practically speaking, circumventing this patent requires adopting significantly less efficient or fundamentally different operational approaches, as the combination of sensor-based alignment and airflow cleaning is precisely what defines the method’s commercial advantage.
If a drone is flown manually, does that bypass the patent?
Manual control alone does not guarantee circumvention. Most modern drones — even when manually operated — utilize built-in flight controller subroutines (such as altitude hold or optical flow stabilization) that autonomously align the drone relative to surfaces using sensor data. If these subroutines are engaged while the drone’s airflow is used for commercial cleaning purposes, the essential elements of the patented method are still being practiced in jurisdictions where the patent is granted.
How do flight controller subroutines factor into infringement?
Modern flight controllers include subroutines that continuously align drones toward surfaces using sensor data fused with altitude control and stabilization features. If these subroutines autonomously align drones based on surface geometry before or during the use of airflow for commercial cleaning, they practice the essential elements described in the granted claims and therefore require authorization in jurisdictions where the patent is in force.
What is indirect and contributory infringement and how does it apply?
Indirect infringement occurs when a party provides the tools, software, flight plans, or instructions that enable others to practice the patented method commercially in protected jurisdictions — even if the provider does not directly operate the drones themselves. For example, supplying a software kernel, automated flight plan, or sensor configuration designed to enable autonomous airflow cleaning constitutes contributory infringement. Without a license, cross-border collaboration involving such components must be carefully managed to avoid legal exposure.
Does extraterritorial infringement apply to method patents?
Generally, a method must be performed within a granted jurisdiction to constitute direct infringement. However, indirect or contributory infringement can occur if components — such as software or hardware enabling autonomous sensor-based alignment — are manufactured or developed abroad but are specifically intended for commercial deployment within protected territories. Once imported or utilized commercially in a granted jurisdiction, they may trigger indirect infringement liability.
How does this patent apply to water-spraying drones?
If drone-generated airflow actively contributes to the surface cleaning or debris removal process — including alongside or after water application — and the drone is aligned relative to the surface using the claimed sensor-based control method, the operation is likely to fall within the scope of protection. Purely water-based spraying performed at altitudes where rotor wash does not interact with the surface generally falls outside the claimed method.
What if someone claims they are inspecting surfaces rather than cleaning them?
Inspection typically differs from cleaning in altitude, sensor usage precision, airflow intensity, and operational frequency. However, if an inspection protocol involves close autonomous alignment combined with airflow exposure sufficient to remove or displace debris — even unintentionally — this may constitute infringement in jurisdictions where the patent is valid. Genuine inspections conducted at altitudes where rotor wash does not materially interact with surface debris generally do not infringe.
Can the technology be used for research without a license?
Certain jurisdictions permit limited exceptions for purely academic research conducted without commercial intent. However, any commercial use — including corporate R&D or research aimed at future commercialization — typically requires explicit licensing permission from the patent holder.
Is using drone airflow for cleaning too obvious to have been patented?
Drone airflow cleaning was not considered obvious when the patent was filed in 2014. At that time, drones rarely featured sensor systems capable of precise autonomous surface alignment. The patent protects the innovative combination of sensor-based autonomous alignment and airflow cleaning. This position was further supported by the subsequent filing and grant of later-related patents and by the fact that, following proceedings at the EPO, the proprietors elected not to pursue renewal of the European counterpart, with the related US apparatus patents later lapsing.