Drone Animation

Massachusetts-based Ascent AeroSystems approached Sprout ahead of the launch of HELIUS, a rugged, all-weather, AI-enabled drone that marked the company’s entry into the micro UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) sector. With a major industry trade show fast approaching and limited time to develop a functional appearance model, Ascent needed a suite of high-impact visuals to generate excitement, educate buyers, and make a bold first impression.

To communicate its advanced capabilities and cross-functional versatility, Sprout developed a library of CGI assets including studio renderings, in-context visuals, and detailed product explainers. A 45-second animation served as the centerpiece, highlighting HELIUS’s compact form, core technical features and a broad range of use-case scenarios.

The visual system came to life on a 60-foot screen at HELIUS’s debut trade show, capturing attention and sparking immediate buyer interest. Within 48 hours of its debut, the content drove more website visits, new LinkedIn followers, and inbound leads than in the previous four months combined.

Following the launch, Sprout produced a nearly two-minute video, blending live-action footage, aerial cinematography, and photorealistic CGI to demonstrate how the drone excels in high-stakes public safety missions like search and rescue and offender pursuits. This layered production approach gives viewers a front-row seat to HELIUS in action, reinforcing the thoughtfully optimized specifications and capabilities of the micro-UAV.

Sprout’s collaboration with Ascent AeroSystems was instrumental in earning industry trust on market entry and establishing a foundation for continued momentum in a competitive landscape.