Quanternium, a drone company headquartered in Valencia, Spain, claims it’s HYBRiX.20 to be the first hybrid (petrol-electric) multirotor UAV on the market. This innovation marries advanced technology with a range-extender that provides more than 2hr. operational flight with maximum payload.

HYBRiX.20 is a drone for commercial applications requiring longer endurance. It is an excellent alternative to manned helicopters for applications like aerial surveys, monitoring or search & rescue. Its hybrid fuel-electric system allows for operational flight times between 1h – 3h (up to 4hr limit with no payload).

Below is a time lapse video produced by the company which shows a clock spinning around to a rather over the top soundtrack.

The company web site is extraordinarily thin on details (does it take leaded or unleaded? How does it switch from gas to battery? wher’s the gas cap? Availability?). But there must be something to it as it has been selected for AUVSI’s Startup Showdown taking place this Wednesday at the Xponential Trade Show in Dallas.

The concept is a big idea which if it works would be a significant boon to a number of markets.