Hollyway sets a new dual benchmark: from autonomous drone systems to fully automated manufacturing, establishing the industry's leading "Machines Build the Machines" standard
By www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com
Hollyway has advanced its position in autonomous drone technology and industrial automation through nearly a decade of development and deployment across the Asia-Pacific region. Its ecosystem integrates AI-enabled drones, autonomous docks for unattended battery and payload exchange, and a cloud-based control system that manages both drone fleets and connected IoT devices.
At the center of this ecosystem is the Iron Series, an industrial-grade drone-in-a-box solution designed for demanding operational environments. The system features an IP55-rated drone and a rugged, extreme-temperature-resistant dock that can automatically replace batteries in seconds and swap payloads using two interchangeable pods. Connectivity is ensured by a dual-link BVLOS system that uses 4G/5G cellular networks in urban settings and a microwave link with up to 8 km range in areas with weaker coverage, with seamless handover between the two。
The Iron Series is supported by the H.O.P.E. (Hollyway Operation Platform and Ecosystem) control platform, which combines a 4D holographic interface with mission planning, machine learning-powered data analysis, automated reporting, and inventory management. Together, the Iron Series hardware and H.O.P.E. software provide a flexible and scalable solution for inspection, monitoring, and other industrial applications.
This integration is also reflected in the company’s manufacturing operations. Hollyway has established production facilities designed as fully autonomous lights-out factories, where robotic assembly lines produce an Iron Series Dock every fifteen minutes. These automated lines operate continuously in response to demand and provide a replicable foundation for future overseas manufacturing and assembly centers as the company expands its international presence.
Standards bodies such as the IEC and ISO define industrial automation as the use of self-operating machinery and systems for process control and production optimization. While this has typically been applied to conventional factory workflows, Hollyway has established a dual benchmark that encompasses both application and industrial automation.
The first benchmark lies in its application ecosystem. Intelligent endpoints, including drones and autonomous docks, with small robots currently in development, are connected through a real-time feedback platform. This enables inspection, monitoring, analysis, and response without manual intervention, offering greater efficiency, accuracy, and safety than human-led patrols or piloted drone operations.
The second benchmark is achieved in its manufacturing process. Hollyway has integrated proprietary production software with robotic arms from leading suppliers and its own R&D, creating a unified process that spans preparation, assembly, production, testing, and shipping. This level of integration supports one of the most advanced fully autonomous lights-out production lines currently in operation.
By aligning application automation with industrial automation, Hollyway provides a model that sets a measurable standard for the sector. This dual benchmark demonstrates what was previously considered unattainable in automation, establishing a reference point for future industrial development.
