Tec-News

TAO develops lightweight hydrogen tank for the stratosphere

TAO develops lightweight hydrogen tank for the stratosphere

October 2023: As a location for long-term stationary missions, the stratosphere offers great potential for civilian missions in the fields of earth observation (e.g. environmental protection, meteorology, geodesy, astronomy), monitoring (e.g. traffic, plant security, border security) and telecommunications (network expansion, disaster control) and more.

These potential applications are countered by stringent requirements from the stratospheric environment. In a funded research project, TAO is working with partners from science and research to develop a lightweight hydrogen tank for use on TAO lighter-than-air devices in 2023.

The extremely lightweight construction of the cryotank is the central structural element for energy and altitude regulation in the stratosphere. The flight altitude is regulated by the opposing play of lift and ballast through the cryotank in such a way that a control system on board the aerostat can freely select its flight altitude within set limits. More information will soon be available on our TAO website.


Tests on the sea for the water rescue of LTA devices

Tests on the sea for the water rescue of LTA devices

August 2023: Launch tests at sea with three small scale devices with sensors and data transfer on board to test the recovery of a LTA-flight device on the water were carried out on the Baltic Sea from a boat. In all cases, a rapid deflation of an inflated LTA-device on the water was confirmed.


TAO Tensile stress machine for load tests for the selection of stratosphere materials

TAO Tensile stress machine for load tests for the selection of stratosphere materials

2023-07-10: To perform stress tests on different materials and components, a tension stress machine that can be adapted to different requirements was built. Different materials and interactions between materials and components were tested. The testbench was designed in a way, that it is easily adaptable to different kind of materials, such as stiff structural components, sheet materials, tension elements and small scale models of structural segments. In addition, the device was designed to fit into the Stratolab so that the tensile tests can be combined with cold tests up to minus 80 degrees.


Stratospheric flight for verification of environmental data at an altitude of 24,000 metres

Stratospheric flight for verification of environmental data at an altitude of 24,000 metres

June 2023: Further tests in the stratosphere with LTA-flight devices on a small-scale basis for experimental verification of the simulations for the use of a double outer envelope to minimize change of buoyancy day and night by active cooling during day and reducing heat loss at night (to prevent a descent) were prepared and executed. The stratospheric flight up to 24.000 m also provided more information on the characterisation of stratospheric ambient characteristics.


TAO participates in ESA survey

TAO participates in ESA survey

2023-03-02: What are the fields of application for HAPs (High Altitude Platforms)? What are the greatest challenges in implementing this technology in the stratosphere? And when could HAPs be deployable in the stratosphere? TAO participated in a survey by ESA upon request and was happy to provide the experience gained from 21 years of R&D in the fields of HAPS, LTA and renewable energies. Among other things, the survey identifies the most important challenges that still need to be overcome before HAPs can be deployed.


TAO builds SuperPressure LTA testing device

TAO builds SuperPressure LTA testing device

February 2023: A 20 m x 8 m LTA-model in superpressure design was built and inflated. The design concept proved to be manufacturable in good quality. The segmented hull-design and internal ropes for load distribution proved to be applicable and to be stable against bulging. For positioning the gas cells manual assistance was necessary during inflation. Force transmission between the radial ropes and the hull material was identified as one of the major challenges of the design. The test was intended to test load introduction into the hull under pressure as can also be expected during stratospheric flights.


TAO Strato-Tests

TAO Strato-Tests

2022-12-14: TAO Strato ascent to 23,000 metres: under almost cloudless skies and initially bright sunshine (but at -9 degrees cold), the ascent into the stratosphere started. After about 2 hours of ascent time, the desired data could be collected and the planned tests could be carried out. After the recovery mission, the measurement data was evaluated in the TAO Lab.


"ThinKing" Lightweight Award for TAO SunTracker

ThinKing Lightweight Award for TAO SunTracker

2022-09-07: TAO has developed an innovative dual-axis solar tracking system that allows the solar panel to track the position of the sun during the day, similar to the bionic principle of the sunflower. The modular two-axis TAO SunTracking System is housed in a lightweight shelter to protect it from the elements and, because of its lightness, can be used on flat roofs that previously could not be used for solar applications because solar elevations were too heavy for the roofs. The TAO SunTracking System can harvest 30-45% more solar energy than non-tracking solar panels. And instead of solar fields, the SunTracker is used on areas that are already sealed: on flat roofs instead of fields.

So much TAO innovation will be honoured in September with the ThinKing, the lightweight construction award of the Baden-Württemberg State Agency for Lightweight Construction. Here's a short film presentation of the lightweight TAO SunTracker in its shelter on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG18kUy6-0w


TAO nominated for the "Großer Preis des Mittelstandes"

TAO nominated for the 'Großer Preis des Mittelstandes'

2022-01-18: TAO Transatmospheric Operations GmbH has been nominated for the nationwide competition "Großer Preis des Mittelstandes" of the Oskar Patzelt Foundation. "To new horizons" is this year's motto, and we have reached the 1st stage of the competition - the nomination list. Already the nomination for the "Großer Preis des Mittelstandes" is considered an award and is the entrance ticket to the "network of the best", so they say. As a company, you cannot apply for this award yourself, but are selected. We are therefore very pleased about the nomination and the networking in the industry that now follows.


Flying without CO2

Flying without CO2

2021-12-16: Kick-off meeting: Flying with renewable energies with reduced or no CO2 emissions is revolutionising aerospace. Together with the University of Stuttgart (Institutes ITFT and IFF), TAO is designing and developing a novel, lightweight hydrogen tank for high altitudes. Especially in the stratosphere at an altitude of around 20 km, the environment is harsh: cold, high UV exposure and little oxygen. The TAO SkyDragon as a high-altitude platform flies in this environment, so far solar-electric. For hydrogen propulsion, the corresponding lightweight hydrogen tank will now be completed as a prototype in 2022.


TAO's HAP expertise in the stratosphere

TAO's HAP expertise in the stratosphere

2021-07-02: TAO participated in an international study on the opportunities and economic impact of high-altitude platforms (HAPs) flying at 20 km altitude to explore the potential of HAPs in Earth Observation services (EO). High altitude platforms and stratospheric balloons have great potential in marine pollution detection to land surveying and forest fire warning.

Earth observation in this mission context is defined as collecting information about the Earth's composition via aerial remote sensing in terms of physical, chemical, and biological contexts. Satellites, drones, and aircraft are currently already being used for this purpose - but high-altitude platforms (HAPs) such as the TAO SkyDragon also have this potential and can fly the appropriate cameras and sensors; these images of the Earth help document the status as well as changes in the natural environment due to human influence.

The international consulting firm doing this study for a client in Asia was interested in getting TAO's perspective on the potential of high-altitude platforms (HAPs) as well as stratospheric balloons in Earth Observation (EO). The focus of interest was TAO flight missions for detecting plastic waste islands in the ocean, as well as use for disaster relief as an emergency telecommunication unit.


Solar TAO drinking water desalination

Solar TAO drinking water desalination

2021-06-01: As part of a research project of the German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU), TAO is developing a system for water treatment that takes the natural process of evaporation of water to water vapour (cloud formation) and condensation of water vapour to water (rain) as a model and implements it technically. This process of cloud and rain formation is driven by the thermal energy of the sun. The TAO solar water treatment system uses the sun's regenerative radiation (photovoltaics) and solar heat (solar thermal energy) as process energies.

The water purification system with an aperture area of one square metre should provide a daily ration of 3 litres of desalinated or purified water in the first step (efficiency of about 30 to 50 percent). Through further heat insulation measures and the use of textile "wicks" in the absorption, production capacities of over 6 litres per square metre of aperture area can be expected. The DITF Denkendorf is a cooperation partner in this project "Development of a textile-based water purification and desalination plant based on solar evaporation".


TAO is in the international HAPS Alliance

TAO is in the international HAPS Alliance

2021-01-12: Leading voices in the HAPs industry - TAO Group with its expertise in high altitude stratospheric platforms (HAPs) is now a member of the international HAPs Alliance. This is an international consortium of global technology companies and research partners seeking to develop telecommunications from the stratosphere. In addition to the technology, this also includes the corresponding transnational regulations and approvals, which should be jointly investigated and defined as recommendations. The members of the HAPS Alliance include Ericsson, Nokia, AT&T as well as Airbus and Intelsat. In addition to the TAO Group, only Deutsche Telekom is a member from Germany. Communication from the stratosphere is THE topic of the future. The big players in the world have set up their own programmes for this and are pursuing various approaches to flight in the stratosphere: solar gliders, stratospheric balloons or even airships. TAO, on the other hand, is pursuing the concept of the segmented SkyDragon airship.


TAO prepares study for telecommunications in South America

TAO prepares study for telecommunications in South America

2020-11-11: TAO receives international telco study. How can settlements in jungle areas or in remote valleys be supplied with telecommunications and internet if the expansion for a fibre optic network is definitely too expensive?

TAO is currently working on a study for the use of so-called disruptive technologies for the expansion of data transmission networks. Disruptive technologies are technologies that, for example, have a high potential for the data transmission of the future, but have not yet been used or have not been used for very long. These include ground-based telecommunications balloons or high-flying stratospheric platforms (HAPs) such as the TAO SkyDragon.

Together with a local telecommunications partner in South America, TAO was awarded this telecommunications study in a two-stage selection process and was able to convince the reviewers with its know-how about the technologies of the future and its experience. The study will be compiled by August 2021.


In the final of the 'Digital female leader award'

In the final of the 'Digital female leader award'

2020-08-20: We are very pleased that we can inspire and be recognized with our TAO technology and our vision. In persona: Regine C. Henschel, CEO of TAO Group, is one of three finalists in the category "Innovation" for the Digital Female Leader Award 2020. Thank you for this encouragement to us and our team. Out of more than 800 submissions, the jury shortlisted 52 out-standing candidates in 17 categories. Fingers crossed for the final!


Mission possible

Mission possible

2020-07-10: How does a high altitude platform (HAP) fly at an altitude of 20 km? What does its mission look like, what are its tasks? Is it ready for take-off and landing? Many answers to many questions can be found in our new „Mission possible“ explanatory video. Do you like to know more? You are welcome to write to us!


TAO's flying product family

TAO's flying product family

2020-07-01: TAO - Trans Atmospheric Operations means "flying technology between heaven and earth" and so it is stringent that a flying product family has now been put together based on years of flight and technology experience. From solar airships to mid altitude airships and high altitude platforms (HAPs), all technologies are united in the TAO product family: even indoor flight systems or tethered alterative systems are jointly implemented by TAO or project partners. The right product for every mission and every altitude: telecommunication, data transfer, in-door airport monitoring or flexible hotspot applications are some of the applications. Read more about the product family on our new website: www.tao-innovations.com.


Next generation of space transport systems

Next generation of space transport systems

2020-06-30: Reusable and more reliable: As a developer of HAPS and of disruptive technologies for payload systems for data transfer TAO Group is developing a sufficiently detailed concept design for a Nanosatellite system on LTA-basis. This TAO launch vehicles – based on a unique design - for cost-effective and reliable access to space are offering the potential for a 10 fold reduction in cost per kg for a wide range of payloads. TAO will assess the feasibility for its platform supporting ultra low cost satellite launch.


TAO conducted an international study about Spaceports in the UK

TAO conducted an international study about Spaceports in the UK

2020-05-15: TAO has developed a study with international partners on the topic of "Horizontal Spaceport Business Development". One topic was also the test of satellite equipment as payload on a TAO high altitude platform. The operation of high altitude platforms (HAPs) on a spaceport was also a study topic. The resulting Spaceport cluster plan aims to research, plan and implement horizontal development services for Spaceports with partners. TAO worked in the consortium to investigate the provision of complementary, more efficient launch services to the existing satellite launch program.


RETURN: Out of the routine!

RETURN: Out of the routine!

2020-04-16: How innovation management bundles creative forces - is the main theme of the current cover story in "Return", the specialist magazine for transformation and turnaround from Springer Gabler Verlag. Who would have thought that our TAO guest article, in which we present the idea of the TAO high altitude platform SkyDragon, with the title "How ideas fly" would appear in the middle of the Corona crisis? It couldn't have been more accurate, because right now, flexible, fast, disruptive and elementary decisions are expected with a touch of wise feeling in order to turn this "shutdown" into a real "return" for the team and the company. The current magazine article will soon be directly available here via a link.


Innovative through research - Award 2020/21

Innovative through research - Award 2020/21

2020-04-12: Commitment is everything! For the third time the TAO Group receives the research seal of the German Stifterverband. R&D is our passion - and this endurance is rewarded. At the moment, the TAO SkyDragon (HAP) for telecommunications and other new sustainable technologies such as the new cooling climate facade based on silica gel are in the focus of research.


TAO participates in survey about innovations in times of Corona

TAO participates in survey about innovations in times of Corona

2020-04-10: The German Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy (BMWi) has launched an online survey, primarily of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), on the subject of "How does Corona affect research and innovation? The focus is on the effects of the corona pandemic on current and planned entrepreneurial activities in the field of research, development and innovation. TAO Group as a hotbed of innovation with high altitude platform SkyDragon (pseudo satellite) was happy to participate in this survey on request and reported, among other things, not only on existential challenges that arose during this corona pandemic in the implementation of research projects. We also wrote about our findings during this "shutdown", which enables a return to the company values: What did we stand for 19 company years ago? And after Corona: How will we be able to implement this in the future?


Co2-free cooling with Silica gel

Co2-free cooling with Silica gel

2020-03-31: Highly porous sorption materials such as silica gel bind water vapour from the air on their surface in liquid form in their micro- and nanopores, with the result that air flowing through them is dried. This happens until saturation. Regeneration takes place by flowing through with hot, dry air at temperatures above 80 °C.

Together with a solar thermal collector this sorption technology offers the possibility to dry the air using solar energy and to manage approx. 80 % of the energetic climate control effort in an environmentally friendly way and without carbon footprint. On this basis, TAO Technologies GmbH has developed an innovative, decentralised full air conditioning unit in a ZIM application. The quality of the room air is thus kept ecologically and economically favourable and permanently in the comfort zone.


This one apple tree for the future

This one apple tree for the future

2020-02-21: Shaping the future - TAO, together with the non-profit association Freundeskreis Natuviva, is planting the first future tree of a total of 1 million trees in Germany with the kids of the day care centre "Räuberkiste" in Karlsruhe, supported by the non-profit "Pro Liberis" gGmbH. And it is a 150 cm high apple tree. "If I knew that tomorrow the world would end, I would plant my apple tree..." The first 40,000 Natuviva future trees of various species (fruit trees, beeches, oaks) are planted in the Karlsruhe area, others throughout Germany. For nature and mankind - and a healthy Co2 household for us and following generations. TAO Group actively invents and builds sustainable technologies and is committed to a future worth living. Be a part of it! www.freundeskreisnatuviva.de


The country needs visionaries

The country needs visionaries

2020-02-15: A vision only remains a vision until a team comes together to share it. TAO Group is now actively searching and finding this team for one of the last big challenges of mankind: the flight with an altitude platform (HAP) into the stratosphere and the internet of the future from 20 km altitude. Read here what it means to be an aviation pioneer and to try to move a static persistent environment. A current article from the magazine "Ecowoman"


Change is inevitable

Change is inevitable

2019-11-28: "Change Management". A big term with usually little content. Aren't we all in a constant state of change? TAO Group is tackling the next hurdle of the much talked about change with an approved funding application of the European Union on the topic of "Growth orientation of women-led companies". This program will be realized together with Ulrike Stöckle, Agentur für nachhaltige Kommunikation (Agency for sustainable communication). And yes, we are ready for new websites, new inputs and great ideas. We always have been and always will be - ideas and innovations are our business. For our customers, partners and employees. For 19 years. Change is inevitable!


Innovations - for ever...

Innovations - for ever...

2019-10-18: How can a company like TAO produce sooo many innovations from a HAP to a sorption storage over the past years? "Innovation Management 5.0 - Leadership with Creativity into the Future" is the title of the chapter in the newly published book "Chefsache Zukunft", which attempts to explain this working strategy. The book is published by Springer Verlag and was presented at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2019. It gives the team leaders of the future appealing and realisable ideas for a successful and team-oriented path. Let's look into the book, the other authors also give interesting insights!


TAO at Thoma-Haus

TAO at Thoma-Haus

2019-10-16: Passive house standard, low-energy house or renovation of old buildings? Which type of house is ideal for the customer for the market-ready realisation of the TAO silica gel sorption storage for heating and cooling? The new Co2-free sorption storage can use the solar heat of the summer for loss-free heating in winter. A first exchange of ideas with Erwin Thoma from Thoma-Haus/Holz 100 in Austria brought interesting insights into the realisation of wooden and tiny houses. Stay tuned!


TAO lecture at the children's university

TAO lecture at the children's university

2019-09-26: Excitingly conveyed knowledge instead of smartphone paddles: that's enthusiasm for young talents par excellence. It was very quiet in the lecture hall in Rottweil when the "little students" aged 7 to 13 listened to the lecture on flying with a pseudo satellite in the stratosphere in the children’s university. Perhaps it was due to the unusual flying object, the TAO SkyDragon (a high altitude platform), which bionically reminded the kids of a caterpillar flying comfortably. Or was it the technical explanations by Regine C. Henschel a la "Sendung mit der Maus" (from German TV) about the TAO Space adventures? It was a lot of fun for everyone.


SkyDragon in action for forest and drinking water protection

SkyDragon in action for forest and drinking water protection

2019-09-19: Often four eyes see more than two - and from a great height anyway. The TAO SkyDragon (a High Altitude platform or so called pseudo satellite) has been given another task: Forest health monitoring and drinking water management. To protect our planet, we need comprehensive and direct data transmission that enables us to protect nature comprehensively and avoid overexploitation. Undocumented fires in the Amazon and secret drinking water pollution in rivers are simply unacceptable for nature and mankind - and for our common future. TAO Group was at the exhibition "INTERGEO", the largest expo and conference for geodesie, geoinformation and land management - and TAO has investigated measures to protect Mother Earth and the use of the SkyDragon for good.


TAO silica gel-storage with solar collector

TAO silica gel-storage with solar collector

2019-09-14: "The polar bear house collects and stores sunlight" - is the headline of the short presentation of the research project in the brochure "Textiles can do a lot", which portrays innovations from Textile Valley Baden-Württemberg. Our temporary polar bear building with transparent thermal insulation, the flexible solar collector and the TAO silica gel storage unit is presented together with other innovation drivers and initiators from the region: among them are research partner DITF in Denkendorf, as well as Mattes & Ammann Gmbh & Co KG, Vaude Sport GmbH and Trevira GmbH.


TAO sponsors insect hotels for small air acrobats

TAO sponsors insect hotels for small air acrobats

2019-07-20: Do good - also in small things! TAO Group loves (almost) everything that hums and flies - but especially the smallest flying artists: our insects. And this is why the TAO Group has donated a large, stationary insect home for the Wittelsbacher Park in Augsburg. The construction took place during the opening ceremony of the "Natuviva Staffellauf für Nachhaltigkeit", which in the coming months will combine cities in Germany, Austria and Switzerland with a fundamental idea: the commitment to far-reaching nature conservation and sustainable new technologies. Another (smaller) insect hotel was handed over to the Helios Spital Überlingen for the inauguration of the new roof garden.


Satellite equipment in TAO test

Satellite equipment in TAO test

2019-07-07: How does technical equipment fly in the stratosphere? Together with a satellite company, TAO will be flying test equipment for mini-satellites on the SkyDragon (high altitude platform or so called pseudo satellite) in the stratosphere in 2020. The plan is to use the planned range tests to optimize data transmission in further development. It is also interesting to see how the satellite equipment reacts to the low temperatures in the stratosphere of up to -60 degrees. A formal, corresponding MOU for the cooperation was signed by both sides. Let's go!


Game of Drones - about unmanned aerial vehicles

Game of Drones - about unmanned aerial vehicles

2019-06-07 - 2019-11-02: "The drone´s fascination lies in the possibility to optimise human abilities and to extend the sphere of actions", quote from the exhibition catalogue for "Game of Drones" at the Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen in Germany. Unmanned and remote-controlled, the world's first solar airship, built by Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin and his team, can also largely be described as a "drone". This is why the solar airship is part of the exhibition on the technical development of unmanned flying objects in two centuries, which makes the influences of drones (UAVs) on our society visible from a transdisciplinary and comprehensive perspective.


TAO is a founding member of the circle of friends "Natuviva e.V."

TAO is a founding member of the circle of friends 'Natuviva e.V.'

2019-03-16: Everything begins with a thought - and its implementation. Regine C. Henschel, CEO of the TAO Group, is a founding member of the Freundeskreis Natuviva e.V., a non-profit association dedicated to the implementation of a conscious way of life, the protection of nature and lived sustainability. The TAO Group's sustainable technologies like the sorption storage with silica gel fit in with this, so that the founding event was celebrated together with all the founding members at the TAO Group's premises in Stuttgart. Active together!


TAO-Group is a global HAP-Keyplayer

TAO-Group is a global HAP-Keyplayer

2019-03-02: TAO Group is one of the worldwide leading companies for research and development of high altitude platforms (HAP´s) for telecommunication and data transfer. Some of the key players in the Global High-Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) market are Airbus, Alphabet, Facebook, Lockheed Martin, RosAeroSystems, Thales and we. TAO Group has not the financial resources as the global keyplayers, but a very clever engineering team, a richness of ideas and a rapid prototyping. The worldwide study HIGH-ALTITUDE PSEUDO SATELLITES (HAPS) MARKET - GLOBAL TRENDS, FORECAST, AND OPPORTUNITY ASSESSMENT (2017-2023) was published in March 2019 and compares the worldwide stratospheric concepts like High Altitude UAVS, Airships und Stratospheric Balloons. The TAO SkyDragon concept of a HAP is worldwide unique.


Love is in the air...

Love is in the air...

2019-01-01: "The work of a human being lives on in his works" - on 2019-01-01 our beloved company founder and chief Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin hurried ahead according to his visionary character “into the stratosphere”- we miss a great thinker, developer and business partner. But we - as faithful TAO-Nauts and his experienced team - now together accept his legacy and will not rest until our joint mission is successful: The first successful flight with our SkyDragon high altitude platform into the stratosphere! Because: In space with the stars we are all together, again...


SkyDragon (HAP) testing in Scotland

SkyDragon (HAP) testing in Scotland

2018-11-01: Our present Internet is 40 years old! What will the Internet of the future look like? This year TAO starts the new test program for the SkyDragon Altitude Platform (HAP) in the UK together with TAO Tech. UK. The first trials and ground tests were successfully carried out in Scotland in August. Further tests are now being planned this year, both on the ground and in flight. A test rig for propeller tests suitable for propeller use in the stratosphere is also being developed and set up. If all milestones of the developments work as planned, then the internet of the future will finally be able to fly, be able to take off and land and not generate space debris.


TAO is Dual Partner of DHBW

TAO is Dual Partner of DHBW

2018-10-01: Room for fresh, young ideas: TAO is an official partner of the Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University. The local university council has approved the TAO Trans. GmbH, has recognised the company's suitability as a training centre and confirmed its admission to the mechanical engineering degree course with a certificate. The first "dual TAO student" has already started his training at TAO and his studies at the DHB on 1.10.2018. Good luck!


TAO Group at Fair Friends

TAO Group at Fair Friends

2018-09-06: Two eco-friendly TAO Group projects will be represented at this year's "Fair Friends trade fair" in Dortmund (Hall 3B, Stand A1) - the fair for sustainable lifestyles and social responsibility. The Co2-free "Eisbär" heat storage system based on silica gel, which uses the sun of the summer for domestic heating in winter and the radiation-free power supply with the newly developed "E-Cube" will be presented live at the "Natuviva mbH" stand. Stay tuned - more information follows the Natuviva life motif: Live! Change! Inspire!


Space flight made by TAO

Space flight made by TAO

2018-06-08: Space travel! The TAO-Group is represented in the new "Kompetenzatlas Luft- und Raumfahrt Baden-Württemberg" (The official register of professional Aviation and space flight of Baden-Württemberg/Germany) with our company presentation in the categories "Aviation" and now also with the icon for the category "Space". This is due to the new satellite launch project that TAO started in 2018. We are very happy and start a lively international exchange "Made in Germany".


The German Silicon Valley is located in Stuttgart

The German Silicon Valley is located in Stuttgart

2018-04-26: Our German Silicon Valley is located in Stuttgart. Innovative ideas and future projects can be realized everywhere; spirit, the good energy of the innovator, inspiring goal related communication and a thoughtful management are the preconditions. Therefore we live a special innovative strategy in our company. Joseph McCarthy working in Silicon Valley, specialist in business model design, business model innovation, prototyping, data and analytics, is very excited about our manifold innovative capacity in our TAO Group - and he will visit us for a next brainstorming in our labs in the near future. Stay tuned! :-) (Foto: Joseph McCarthy, Regine C. Henschel and Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin).


The car of the future

The car of the future

2018-02-22: In 2036 the car concept will be 150 years old. How will the strong (southern) German automotive industry and its suppliers position themselves? Intelligent components, innovative production concepts, artificial intelligence and digitized process chains are some of the topics that will be examined at the research campus of the University of Stuttgart in the Arena2036. Prof. Bernd Kröplin (photo in the Mercedes F 015) has been interested in the discussion at the Arena2036 Meeting at the 22th of February. He and his TAO Group are interested in the extent to which our mobility will have changed by then. And what the car of the future looks like.... And especially the propulsion? TAO's answer is a new, lightweight carbon-fibre car as a "city runabout" with a newly developed, recyclable, inexpensive and performance-promising TAO battery. This current development could provide interesting approaches to tomorrow's mobility.


New flight season 2018

New flight season 2018

2018-01-12: TAO Group started their new flight season 2018 with new challenges for the team and for the SkyDragon Airship. The optimized SD airship and new optimized flight missions have been tested. And – what should we say? – the new year 2018 started marvelous! Everything went well.

And here is the link to the flight movie


The climate facade of the future

The climate facade of the future

2017-11-01: The intelligent façade of the future has functions and is more than just a protective shell. Together with the Institute for Applied Building Research Weimar GmbH (IABG), the TAO Group is developing a solar thermal climate facade module that can dehumidify and actively cool room air. The variable facade modules are used decentrally on south-facing facades of office buildings, commercial buildings or private buildings as single-room air-conditioning units. With this project, which is funded by the Central Innovation Programme of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (ZIM), TAO is continuing its long-standing commitment to extraordinary environmentally friendly building and construction.


Helium-tight gas cells

Helium-tight gas cells

2017-10-04: TAO invented a new welding method for ultra-thin gas cells for high altitude platforms (HAP). The welding equipment has been specially optimised for welding helium-tight seams. This thin foil is very light and is used for the helium-tight gas cells in the hull of the TAO stratospheric airship SkyDragon or in smaller aero vehicles. You can see a huge gas cell at the picture, which is used for the head of the TAO SkyDragon and which was inflated with air for testing. This gas cell was welded at TAOs new, huge welding desk with the special new method.


Attention guaranteed: A flying helium cloud as a roof!

Attention guaranteed: A flying helium cloud as a roof!

2017-09-13: Missed in the crowd? Then start up in the air! With our new helium-cloud, a flying roof! We as aerospace engineers love light and floating membrane constructions, which are phantastic eyecatcher. Therefore, we used our experience of our flying helium roof, which was very successfully used in a big fair trade, for a new innovative concept: the 20 m big Helium-Wonder-Cloud. This new cloud for outdoor use is weather proofed and protect your customers on rainy days. The helium cloud is illuminated inside and the laminated outer layer can be used for projections. And it is also a very fancy eyecatcher! A wonderful promotion cloud! More infos about the star cloud here Helium-clouds and our flying house Helion.


New Perovskite based Air Electrode: more Power than Platinum!

New Perovskite based Air Electrode: more Power than Platinum!

2017-08-15: Readiness for production reached! The TAO Group has developed and completed a new air electrode for air-metal batteries that delivers more power than conventional air electrodes. A specially developed perovskite mixture added to the electrode base materials makes the difference. Thanks to the proprietary perovskite catalyst, expensive platinum is replaced and high performance is achieved. The custom-made new TAO perovskite electrodes have balanced properties and a halved charge transfer resistance to comparable commercial air electrodes. Now the perovskite air electrodes are tested together with a partner in a new battery. The future of perovskite mixed oxides has begun: they can in special composition also be used as an efficient and cost-effective solar cell semiconductor material. The successful TAO development project was funded by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy as a ZIM research project. More information


Who is TAO Group?

Who is TAO Group?

2017-04-04: For over 15 years TAO has a very successful research and development team for innovative, groundbreaking projects like the sun storage, in 5 minutes rechargeable batteries, data transfer platforms for low radiation telecommunication, self-sufficient smart homes... These innovative ideas are catching, invigorating and inspiring. The "Extraordinary Future Forum 2017 (EFF)" invited Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin and Regine C. Henschel to give two lectures about the forward-looking technologies. Here is a first view into our innovative world: Link to YouTube


Founding of "TAO UK"

Founding of TAO UK

2017-03-10: TAO Group creates new plans for the future. TAO Technologies UK has been founded in the UK with partners there. TAO Tech UK Ltd is responsible for research and development, production and marketing of selected TAO Group projects and is creating new opportunities worldwide. The "Ice bear-heat storage" system with novel heat capture and storage media is projected to be a key player in the UK energy storage market and, separately, the development of satellite and data transfer systems carried with the new generation of TAO high altitude platforms (HAP's) are the first jointly developed projects.


TAO SkyDragon is an Add-On for satellites

TAO SkyDragon is an Add-On for satellites

2017-03-09: The TAO SkyDragon is operating at altitudes up to 20.000 ft and is used for data transfer for telecommunication, disaster mapping and relief, radio and tv broadcasting, children's educational television, pollution measurement and pipeline monitoring - for example. The SkyDragon is flying autonomous, is able to start and land, is recyclable and is not causing space debris. Because of all these interesting features the special TAO aircraft is a welcome add-on-system for the satellite system. TAO Group was invited to the conference of the "North East Satellite Applications Centre of Excellence in Newcastle" to discuss the technical potential.


The TAO-Lighthouse: The eye catcher for indoor and outdoor use

The TAO-Lighthouse: The eye catcher for indoor and outdoor use

2017-02-06: An inflatable tent with many possibilities: the new TAO "Lighthouse" is ready! Self-erecting within 2 minutes, without linkage transportable into two pockets, stable, waterproof, insulated and warm or with outrigged walls. There are many possibilities for use: as an inflatable event tent for lectures or catering, as a mobile inflatable stand for presentations and vehicle presentations, as a Hyde Away or for use in disaster relief. Indoor and outdoor, the pyramid is a widely visible inflatable eyecatcher with a height of 3, 5 or even 7 meters. Up to 79 people can be accommodated in a TAO Lighthouse. Individually or in combination: several inflatable pyramids of the Lighthouse together create an individual ensemble with wind- and visibility protection for each location. TAO rents or sells the temporary lighthouses with all-round service package: construction, lighting planning, heat and ventilation. And because it is "Made in Germany", the inflatable product can be adapted to individual requirements. More information on our website at Lighthouse.


New TAO-Project "Chap"

New TAO-Project Chap

2017-01-06: TAO Group presented the new High Altitude Platform Project "Chap" at the planning and strategy meeting 2017 - and planned the development of this new flight concept. Flying telecommunication for all - CHAP has significant new technology and mission relevant parameters compared to the actual SkyDragon project of TAO. Both projects are inventions of the TAO Group, but CHAP flys more in a swarm and has additional special technical skills, one of which enables CHAP to launch satellites into space without expensive rocket infrastructure. To go for this big goal CHAP (Communication High Altitude Platform) the TAO Group employs new technicians, engineers and optimizes it´s marketing skills - also the hangar will be enlarged.


Google, Facebook & Co.

Google, Facebook & Co.

2016-12-12: What is the difference between the TAO Group Strato-Project and other worldwide projects? Well, it flys - and not only in fancy animation movies or on the drawing board. Because of the great interest in this topic Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin repeated his lecture at the Urania Berlin: Which stratosphere projects are currently at the moment? How far are research and reality? Google, Facebook and Co. start million-projects to fly into the stratosphere. But trendsetting projects are also coming out of Germany: SkyDragon - and CHAP!


TAO Group in the Manager Magazine Germany

TAO Group in the Manager Magazine Germany

2016-08-28: The TAO Group was presented at one of the innovative companies Germany in the segment "Internet Infrastructure" at the famous Manager Magazine in Germany. "(...) TAO Group is the number one in the segment autonomous flying airships for communication (...). Google is working at also ambitious projects: their project "Loon" want to provide fast internet for people living in regions without good infrastructure. The small TAO Group with its´ 35 employees is self-confident enough to compete with the big player from the Silicon Valley", published by Manager Magazine, 2016-08-28. More information (available only in German): link to the article


H-Aero in the Sky

H-Aero in the Sky

2016-08-20: A flying lens! This long nourished idea of a steerable lens is now reality! H-Aero is the name of the new aircraft and is a design of Dr. Csaba Singer, formals student and staff member of Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin. The project was supported by the TAO Group and celebrated at the presentation flight at Ibiza. ;-) H-Aero (Hybrid Airplane) is a UAV and has a payload capability of 3 kg, a flight duration of 5 hours and is for example applicable for promotion.


The current Strato projects of the world

The current Strato projects of the world

2016-08-18: What stratosphere projects are currently up-to-date? How far are research and reality? Google, Facebook and & Co. are launching multimillion-dollar projects to fly into the stratosphere. But a trend-setting project is also coming from Germany: Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin and Regine C. Henschel presented their TAO project and the SkyDragon at the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen in the technology exhibition "Möglichkeit Mensch" ("Possibility Man") in a lecture and flight films. The TAO SkyDragon is capable of taking off and landing, controllable and maintainable and, unlike satellites, leaves no space debris.


Exciting flight testing in Spain

Exciting flight testing in Spain

2016-07-26: What a flight! On the airfield in Spain a team of our TAO Group successfully tested a new altitude aircraft with new materials. In 10,500 m altitude, a special high-altitude segment was flown and hight precise measurements were recorded. After the successful ascent and a flight through the air corridor between Barcelona and Gerona far out to the Mediterranean see, the aircraft was safely recovered and the recorded data was analysed by the TAO Group. In consequence a project of the Federal Government testing new airship materials was successfully completed and simultaneously an important step in the TAO airship hull development was done. Thanks to the successful TAO team and the Spanish air traffic control!


TAO Group is one of the Top 100

TAO Group is one of the Top 100

2016-06-24: Stuttgart/Essen: Ranga Yogeshwar, famous scientist journalist and mentor of the innovation contest Top 100, gave the innovation award Top 100 to the TAO Group in Stuttgart and Berlin on Friday evening in the Colosseum in Essen/Germany. This means, that TAO Group is one of the innovative companies of the German "medium-sized businesses". To get this award, TAO had to answer a multi-phase, difficult questionnaire about the TAO company, the innovation management and innovation success; the questionnaire was elaborated by Prof. Dr. Nikolaus Franke and his team, he is the scientific leader of the Top 100 award and the director of the institute for entrepreneurship and innovation of the university Wien. He is considered one of the world's leading innovation researchers. TAO had succeeded because of its innovative projects and the innovative process management - now we are part of the innovation elite. Thanks to all our colleagues, business partners, governmental appropriation and friends: Together we got this award, this is our success, the success of the TAO-Nauts!!


TAO supports the social project "Genialsozial"

TAO supports the social project Genialsozial

2016-06-21: Three scholars are joining one working day in the TAO Group during the 12th project-day "genialsozial". They donate their wages for this day directly to the organisation "genialsozial". The organisation is supporting humanitarian aid, financed by the free engagement of the pupils. It supports social projects in Saxony/Germany and in 24 countries all over the world, to optimize the living and education conditions of young people. The idea of this project is from Norway, initialized in 1964 under the name "Operasjon Dagsverk". You find more information to this project here: www.genialsozial.de.


TAO gets a research signet

TAO gets a research signet

2016-05-19: Research and development is very important in our TAO Group. Therefore our engagement is awarded with the research signet of the Stifterverband in Germany. Only companies with research competition and the capability to be innovative get this signet - we are very happy. To walk a new path in research is not easy, but exciting. TAO develops new energy technologies (Zinc-Air-Battery), new telecommunication technologies (SkyDragon) and new heating storages like the TAO sorption storage (icebear-building).


TAO SkyDragon in "The Economic Times"

TAO SkyDragon in The Economic Times

2016-03-31: What can we learn from the past? And which skills do innovative technologies need? The Economic Times, the world's second most widely read English language business newspaper has a useful mention for the SkyDragon-Technology which Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin presented at the "Zeppelin View" - the "kick-off-event" of the 7th World Communication Forum in Davos (WCFDavos 2016). Read more in the article: "Lesson from Zeppelin".


Kick-off World Communication Forum Davos

Kick-off World Communication Forum Davos

2016-03-07: Thomas Brandt (CEO, ZLT Zeppelin Luftschifftechnik GmbH & Co. KG) and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Kröplin (TAO Group) hold the lecture for the kick-off of the 7th World Communication Forum in Davos (WCFDavos 2016). "Efficient communication theories for the global development of technology and science" was the motto of the presentation "Zeppelin View" in the museum in Friedrichshafen. Important aspects of the Zeppelin history from the sight of scientists, economy representatives and communication experts had been discussed by international participants and also communication strategies for technical pioneer works like the TAO SkyDragon.


Aerospace Sourcebook

Aerospace Sourcebook

2016-01-12: Our TAO Group is mentioned in the new "Aerospace Sourcebook of Baden-Württemberg" with our company profile. We are very happy about that and we are looking for interesting discussions and new contacts in the region of BaWü.


"Flying Art: ALF" - Article in famous magazine "Kunstforum"

Flying Art: ALF - Article in famous magazine Kunstforum

2015-09-25: Who on earth thought, that our autonomous parachute ALF will be ART one day? Okay, the parachute flys extremely aesthetically: But it´s special ability, carrying humanitarian goods into disaster areas and landing them at a defined point, is the reason for an invitation to the exhibition "Innovations". ALF and some other inventions and concepts for optimization of the everyday life will be shown from 17.10. to 29.11.2015 in the "Kunstverein Neuhausen". A foto of the flying art "ALF" is released in the actual issue of the famous artmagazine "Kunstforum". More information about the exhibition coming soon...


GPS-Tests in the stratosphere

GPS-Tests in the stratosphere

2015-08-07., 2015-07-08 and 2015-07-03: TAO tested it´s TAO-GPS-High-Altitude-Equipment with it´s micro controlled system in three various testflights with special sondes in 18.2. km, 20.5 km and 24 km this July and August. Because of the successfull downlink- and recovery programm the measured data had been recorded for future development andoptimization.


TAO at the fair i-Mobility in Stuttgart

TAO at the fair i-Mobility in Stuttgart

2015-04-12: TAO Group develops a new, fast to recharge, low priced and non-problematic Zinc-Air-Battery. For demonstration of the capacity of the battery a light CFK-car in a unique design will be built. This lightweight study (realized by the team Calamar) and the concept of the new TAO battery had been demonstrated at the fair "i-mobility" in Stuttgart.


Pneumatic stressed membranes

Pneumatic stressed membranes

2015-03-11: Innovative textiles and new hull materials, inflatable, strong under pressure and light: this are parameters for the TAO Stratospheric Airship Projects and for the light TAO membrane architecture. For knowledge exchange about high tech textiles TAO participated at the 3. User Forum "Smart Textiles" in Stuttgart. TAO is realizing innovative concepts in it´s projects "Lighthouse", "Innovative airship materials" and in the "SkyDragon"-HAP-Project.


Visit of prime minister of Baden-Württemberg

Visit of prime minister of Baden-Württemberg

2015-02-26: Prime minister of Baden-Württemberg Winfried Kretschmann visited the Icebear-Pavillion and Prof. Dr. Götz T. Gresser (DITF/projectpartner ITV) explained the innovative energy system with solar collector and TAO sorption storage. The successfull research project - named Icebear Pavillion - with partner ITV, TAO and others won the techtextilinnovationprize 2013 (Fotos: ITV/TAO).


Supporting young talents

Supporting young talents

2015-02-23: TAO supports young sientists with practical training, students jobs and themes for diploma thesis: With his project "Membran-test in the stratosphere for optimizing airship envelopes". Christoph Weber was ranked second in the challenge "Jugend forscht" in Germany during the award ceremony in Friedrichshafen/Germany. TAO enabled the ambitious student, to transfer his own planned ideas by participation at TAO stratospheric flight tests with his experiment. All the best, Christoph - and a successful future for you! If YOU are interested in a project or a job with TAO please look here. We are always looking for self dependent, ambitious talents, see "Career".


Last flight before "Kick off"

Last flight before Kick off

2015-02-19: At temperatures round about the freezing point the first flight in the new year was really an ice-flight. The exorbitant flight performance of the SkyDragon-System demonstrated the system-integration-readiness. Now we are waiting for the kick-off for the special mission "Stratosphere".

Do look at our video-clip


Lecture in the Zeppelin-Museum

Lecture in the Zeppelin-Museum

2015-01-15: "Lotte is the first solar airship of the world and now part of the history of airships in the Zeppelin-Museum (Friedrichshafen). Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin, initiator of "Lotte", gave a lecture about Lottes adventures. It´s participation at the IGA in Stuttgart, the messuring flights for smog-detection over Augsburg to the solar race in Australia: in movies and pictures the history was still alive.


Solar airship "Lotte" flies to Zeppelin-Museum

Solar airship Lotte flies to Zeppelin-Museum

2014-11-27: Today, Prof. Dr. Bernd Helmut Kröplin, donated Lotte - the first solar airship of the world - official to the Zeppelin-Museum in Friedrichshafen (Germany). Kröplin (second on the left) and his team built Lotte in 1992 and operated it for years until 2008. He and Wolfgang von Zeppelin (co-initiator of the project; on the right) are pleased, that Lotte becomes now a part of the worldwide airship history. Until today Lotte is leading in the technology "flying by light". More information see solar airship "Lotte".

Photo: Dr. Claudia Emmert (MD Zeppelin-Museum), Prof. Dr. Bernd-Helmut Kröplin (MD TAO-Group), Jürgen Bleibler und Friedericia Ihling (Zeppelin-department) und Wolfgang von Zeppelin (rechts). chiff "Lotte".


Test of new antenna systems

Test of new antenna systems

2014-10-29: During autumn test flights of a TAO SkyDragon prototyp new antenna and telemetrie systems had been tested. This systems will be optimized by TAO and included into the ground station.


TAO Group at the ExpoReal in Munich 2014

TAO Group at the ExpoReal in Munich 2014

2014-10-07: The projects of the TAO Group like the new seasonal sorption storage (see Icebear building) are interesting for real estate- and project developer. TAO was invited to the fair ExpoReal in Munich to present two new projects, which have been planned and should be realized together with project partners. 


Hull material tests in the stratosphere

Hull material tests in the stratosphere

2014-09-17: There are enormous conditions for hull materials in the stratosphere. Four different light hull materials had been tested at 60.000 feet and minus 65 degrees - TAO messured the results with special sensors. These documentation is very useful for optimization of the TAO SkyDragon hull.


New TAO-"Return Flight-System"

New TAO-Return Flight-System

2014-09-02: TAO designed and built two further, new "TAO-Return Flight Systems". In an emergency this new TAO-systems are able to return high flying equipments like dragon ballons and high altitude platforms (HAP´s) controlled back home. Both pilot-controlled prototyps had been started from an aerostat several times, successfull  guided and landed safely. TAO uses this ongoing flight experiences for the furter development in the TAO-lab.


If you want to fly - fly!

If you want to fly - fly!

2014-04-02: If you want to fly - fly! And before every flight into the stratosphere a lot of technical detail researches had to be absolved. Today a new start with the SkyDragon had been successfully completed: To optimize the take off, a boostertechnology was tested. After successfull descent and some sky tours the TAO-Nauten-Team and the SkyDragon came back home safely.


TAO-Equipmenttest at 84.000 feet

TAO-Equipmenttest at 84.000 feet

2014-03-14: TAO got at 84.000 feet new issues by a successfull TAO-equipment-testing: the optimized isolation proved its value and is mature for the stratosphere. The cameratest brought back impressive pictures like this one with a stratospheric alps panorama view with Gotthard and Monte Rosa.   


The year of the horse with new energy!

The year of the horse with new energy!

2014-02-26: The TAO-Group was invited to a delegation trip to China, to approve the possibilities of a cooperation in research and/or production. The chinese new year of the horse (start 31.1.) is known for new perspectives and chances. Let´s take them!


3. "NovaScape - building intelligence"-Workshop

3. NovaScape - building intelligence-Workshop

2014-01-31: Projects and ideas about energy-efficient building shapes and modulare, regenerative frontsystems had been discussed at the 3. "NovaScape - buidling intelligence-workshop" in Weimar. Prof. Dr. Bernd Helmut Kröplin introduced the new projectidea of the "lighthouse" of TAO Technologies GmbH. The project team: Prof. Dr. Bernd-Helmut Kröplin (TAO Technologies GmbH), Dipl.-Des. Arch. Hans Helmut Esser (Novascape), Regine C. Henschel, M.A. (TAO-Group), Tobias Kübler (Euraconsult); f.l.t.r. Foto: P. Guendisch


TAO Sorption Storage in "Galileo" on German Television Pro 7

TAO Sorption Storage in 'Galileo' on German Television Pro 7

2014-01-27: The TV-Team of Galileo from German television station Pro 7 documented in a short shooting the icebear-pavillion and the TAO sorption storage. During the shooting the silicagel showed its heating capacity in principle successfully. The TAO sorption storage and the icebear-pavillion are in a short documentation in the TV-magazine Galileo in Pro 7 at 7.05 PM at monday, 3.2.2014. See more.


Top view over condensation trails

Top view over condensation trails

2013-12-17: Big things need good preparation: During a new TAO-Test in an altitude to 60.000 ft new sensors and insulations had been tested. Also the camera had been optimized. And it shot a greatful photograph from the stratosphere: an airplane with it´s condensation trail. We had a top view! But, perhaps it was Santas sledge in the sky? We wish you a Merry Christmas and a good flight in a healthy and adventure-full new year 2014!


TAO SkyDragon in Columbia

TAO SkyDragon in Columbia

2013-11-22: Every not connected region like deserts, jungles and islands, where the installation costs for telecommunications antennas and cables are to expensive, is the ideale testing side and place of installation for a TAO SkyDragon High Altitude Platform (HAP). Our vision: Flying telecommunications without cables! TAO Group got an offer to take part in a bidding - together with a renowned telecommuncation partner - for the telecommunications in Columbia. Unfortunately we could not get all the needed informations in this short time from our European side. But next time we are unstoppable! I'll bet you! Because there are worldwide a lot of points of use for our TAO High Altitude Platform. B´connected! And - we are crossing our fingers for the partners for Columbia. You win!  :-) For more informations: HAP for telecommunication


TAO Sorption Storage in the Technoseum

TAO Sorption Storage in the Technoseum

2013-11-20: The TAO-Sorption Storage realized in the icebear-building is part of an exhibition: from 20th November the new bionic-exposition at the Technoseum Mannheim/Germany is open. The basic principles for heating and cooling in the TAO-Sorption Storage are the little Silicagel-Beads. Their physical properties, utilized in the TAO Silicagel Storage, are shown in an own glas cabinet incl. documentary film. A technic-scout in the museum shows the TAO-Principle-Experiment to the visitors.


TAO at the conference "Structural Membranes 2013"

TAO at the conference 'Structural Membranes 2013'

2013-10-10: The "6. International Conference on Textile Composites and Inflatable Structures (Structural Membranes 2013)" had been organised from 9-11 October 2013 in Munich. Prof. Dr. Eugenio Onate (CIMNE, Spain) and Prof. Dr. Bernd-Helmut Kröplin (TAO-Group) had been two of the three Conference Chairmen (see picture). The conference "Structural membranes" aims to be a forum for the state-of-the-art-research and the technology for design, analysis, construction and maintenance of textile and inflatable structures. The TAO "Icebear sorption storage" was also subject of the conference.


TAO HAP SkyDragon at stratosphere!

TAO HAP SkyDragon at stratosphere!

2013-09-20: At 2 pm a SkyDragon tested battery and electronic equipment at an altitude of 63.000 ft. All equipment tests have been successfull. (Photo was taken by an accompanying balloon).


The newly invented and built prototyp of the TAO SkyDragon Serie E for high altitude application was tested!

Neue Antriebskonfiguration für die Stratosphäre erfolgreich getestet!

2013-08-20: Today the newly invented and built prototyp of the TAO SkyDragon Serie E for high altitude application was tested. The flight test with a new propulsion system für high altitude was very successfull. The summer break is over!


First autonomous flight system for airships and High Altitude Platform SkyDragon

First autonomous flight system for airships and High Altitude Platform SkyDragon

2013-07-23: Final tests of the worldwide first autonomous flight systems for airships have been closed successfully with the TAO SkyDragon at TAO Group in Stuttgart. Until now autonomous flight systems have not been successfully applied to airships, because of the substantially different aerodynamics and flight mechanics. TAO managed to create a new system using professional industrial products and own components. The test and the development were audited by the University of Stuttgart. This development means another important milestone and brought TAO Group much closer to successful missions in the stratosphere with the high altitude platform (HAP) “SkyDragon”.


On ARD TV: Prime Time for the TAO Energy Storage for Heating

On ARD TV: Prime Time for the TAO Energy Storage for Heating

2013-06-15 + 2013-07-11: The principle of the TAO sorption-storage is important enough to ARD TV for a contribution in their report “The Great Show about Wonders in Nature” with Frank Elstner and Ranga Yogeshwar. Although we were not allowed to show our original saver (no advertisement in public TV) but nevertheless we (TAO) have planned and build the test set-up, have advised the editors, and were seated in the first row during recording the show on June, 15, 2013. Great deal of fame for our shy little stars: the silica gel beads. Broadcast time: July, 11, 2013, 20:15 on ARD. More to the energy saver: Icebear-Building.


An Award for the TAO Sorption Storage

An Award for the TAO Sorption Storage

2013-06-10: TAO Trans. GmbH received the award "techtextil innovation.prize2013" for it´s newly invented TAO Sorption Storage during the tradefair Techtextil in Frankfurt/Main. The TAO Sorption Storage is realized in the "Icebear-Building" and was funded by the ministry of the environment in a "R&D-Project". For more information: Icebear-Building.


How does an increase of velocity take an effect on the human body?

How does an increase of velocity take an effect on the human body?

2013-05-28: How does an increase of velocity take an effect on the human body? The management of the TAO Trans. GmbH Prof. Dr. Bernd-Helmut Kröplin and Regine C. Henschel visited the German high-performance centrifuge. Also for material- and equipment tests this facility is very interesting for the TAO Group.


Treffen im Eisbärbau

Treffen im Eisbärbau

2013-04-11: Die zur "TAO-Group" gehörende Firma "Airship Technologies GmbH" hielt ihre Jahresversammlung im Eisbär-Gebäude ab. Der Eisbär-Bau war 1-A geheizt und die Gesellschafter erhielten eine überzeugende Einführung in die wärmende TAO-Speicher-Technologie.


TAO Mastermind Group

TAO Mastermind Group

2013-02-12: Once in a while science and know-how from others is precisely that what as module has been lacking for conversion. For the scientific discourse and joint projects Prof. Dr. Bernd Helmut Kröplin, founder of the TAO-Group, was nominated for the international "Advisory Scientific Committee of CIMNE". At February 08, 2013 the first conference took place at the Institute in Barcelona. The TAO-Group strengthens so their long standing cooperation in Spain.


The TAO Sorptions-Storage at the CEB Stuttgart

The TAO Sorptions-Storage at the CEB Stuttgart

2013-02-09: For the first time TAO Trans. GmbH participated with the new TAO-Sorption-Storage in the Icebear-Building in the fair CEB CLEAN ENERGY BUILDING in Stuttgart. From February 07-09, 2013 over 200 exhibitors presented their innovations and met for discussion at the international trade fair and the Congress for Energy efficient buildings, Technical Building Accessory and Regenerative Energy-Production. The TAO Trans. GmbH was located together with the project partner ITV Denkendorf at the Special Exhibition Space of the “Innovationsallianz Baden-Württemberg (innBW)”. For further information about the Icebear-Building click here.


Future technology for energy supply

New, state-of-the-art sorption saver
Foto: Dipl.-Ing. Peter Kungl von der TAO-Group erklärt den Speicher, v.r.n.l.: Umweltminister Franz Untersteller, Prof. Heinrich Planck (ITV), Prof. Dr. Bernd-Helmut Kröplin (TAO-Group), Andrea Lindlohr (Mitglied des Landtags von Baden-Württemberg). Foto: ITV

2013-01-15: The new, state-of-the-art sorption saver (by TAO Trans. GmbH) has been erected in the ‘Ice-Bear Pavilion’ - designed and built particularly for this purpose - and is currently in the process of being tested. If it will work as planned the new TAO-saver will absorb enough heat throughout the summer in order to supply sufficient heat during the heating period in winter and will thus offer almost provisional autarky. To Franz Untersteller, secretary of environment and energy of the regional state of Baden-Württemberg, the energy efficient Ice-Bear membrane building with innovative solar collectors and TAO saver presents a pioneer design for the future. The project has been put into practice in cooperation with partners from the business and economic world, the ITV Denkendorf and financial support of the regional state. For further information see chapter icebear-building.


Really an airhsip? Our prototype at the IdeenPark-Exhibition

Really an airhsip? Our prototype at the IdeenPark-Exhibition

2012-08-23: Record attendance: more than 320.000 visitors had a look at the technology of the future before the IdeenPark-Exhibition in Essen closed at 23.8.2012 after 14 days of exhibition. For the TAO SkyDragon this participation was a real success. Many of visitors required information about details of it´s futuristic design and it´s mission in disaster areas. "This is really a flying airship?" "Yes, this "small" 25 m long SkyDragon had various missions in different altitudes." After such overwhelming attention at the exhibition the SkyDragon and it´s collegues will return to their real realm, the silence of the sky, again.


The TAO SkyDragon is part of the technology exhibition "IdeenPark 2012"

TAO SkyDragon auf dem IdeenPark 2012

2012-07-28: On invitation of Thyssen Krupp AG the TAO SkyDragon is part of the biggest Technology Exhibtition IdeenPark 2012 in Essen - it is the prime meeting of innovations in Germany. The SkyDragon is presented between "Earth and Space": between Aerodrom and Spacestation in hall 12. With it´s futuristic design and the innovative technology the TAO-Group HAP shows how ad-hoc-aid or the telecommunications work in future. TAO Group and other IdeenPark-partners from industry, science and business explain and present their projects for the future on 60.000 m² from 11 to 23 . August 2012. Welcome in the heart of city Essen and in the space for the innovations of the future. 


MIECF 2012

MIECF 2012

2012-03-28: The TAO-Group is part of the international Conference MIECF 2012 in Macao at 29. and 30.3 in Macao. Prof. Dr. Bernd Kröplin gives as a distinguished speaker a lecture about "Future Technologies based on new energy concepts". He and his German team developed new regenerative energy storage concepts for stationary and mobile applications and new architectural concepts.    


Ten years of Adventure

Ten years of Adventure

2011-11-11: This year marks the 10th anniversary since the founding of the first company within TAO Group GmbH, TAO Transatmospheric Operations GmbH. In light of this occasion the TAO team held a celebratory evening on the birthday of the founder, toasting to a bright future and looking forward to the TAO-Fest in the year 2012.


New Architectural Project

New Architectural Project

2011-11-10: TAO Technologies GmbH, along with its Spanish and Portugese partners, has been awarded the grant to develop the “Hypermembrane“ project, commissioned by the European Union. The project focuses on the development of architectural structures that employ flexible membranes in order to allow them to change their structural form on demand.


Our SkyDragon on it´s way!

Our SkyDragon on it´s way!

2011-10-28: The newly developed stabilisation system for the Sky Dragon has exceeded all expectations. The  latest footage (link below) shows the Sky Dragon maintaining its bearing without any pilot assistance. This marks the completion of yet another milestone in the development of the high altitude platform.

Do look at our video-clip


Flight of the SkyDragon - the Original

Flight of the SkyDragon - the Original

2011-08-31: The new cooling-system for the engine has been tested successfully.

Do look at our video-clip


We have been approaching another Milestone

We have been approaching another Milestone

2011-06-09: For the planned next milestone the TAO power gas propulsion system has further been improved and tested for long term flights.

Do look at our video-clip

Flexible constructions

Flexible constructions

2011-06-01: The TAO Group has participated in a professional meeting in Brussels for an international architectural project. We are thrilled to bits to see this stupendous project commence.


SkyDragon - The basis for long-term flights

SkyDragon - The basis for long-term flights

2011-05-04: TAO’s scientific team has successfully performed a total system-level integration paving the road for the ultimate beginning of the long-term flight tests.

After seven years of intensive research and development a new method for control and stabilisation of the SkyDragon high altitude platform has been successfully applied and has demonstrated its overall efficiency by a number of test flights.

The stabilisation and control of the platform is achieved by a system of so called relative-movements of the single correlated segments. The test demonstrations also included final tests on the efficiency of the new power gas propulsion system.

Based on the encouraging results of the total system-level integration further tests are shortly on its way starting the ultimate tests for long term flights.

Do look at our video-clip

Pioneering Test flight of the SD 15

Pioneering Test flight of the SD 15

2011-04-20: The maiden flight of the SD 15 with the newly developed TAO-KG-Engine and the new flight control system have proved an overwhelming success in Stuttgart/Germany. The strong results of the launching, the flight phase and the precision landing fully lived up to the expectations of the scientific team in charge. The actual pilot batch has come respectively to an end to be followed shortly by the test series for confirming the sustainable capacity of the system for enduring missions.

Do look at our video-clip


The Future of Asia and the World

The Future of Asia and the World

2011-04-15: The BOAO-conference 2011 for Asia was held in Haikou (Island of Hainan/China)as much as the BRICS-conference in Sanya (Hainan). The objective of these conferences were to discuss and conceive the future plans for the economic development and international cooperation of the respective Asian states and the BRICS states (Brasil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). The management of the TAO-Group was present in Hainan to explore the economic potential of China as a commercial meeting point for the various TAO products and technologies.


Most successful test run of TAO´s newly developed propulsion system

2011-04-08: The new TAO-KG-engine has been fitted in a SkyDragon high altitude platform and tested. The tests proved most successful. Further tests in flight of this new propulsion system are upcoming within short.


The Companies Sanswire Corp. and TAO GmbH terminated their technology cooperation.

2011-03-22: Based on an amicable settlement agreement the marketing cooperation between the TAO-Group and the Sanswire Corp. has come to an end with immediate effect. It was agreed that Sanswire Corp. will  draw back from its actual website all products based on or linked to TAO Technologies independant of the fact that Sanswire attributed self-contained names to the TAO product line offered on their website. The total hereto existing technology program of TAO will subsequently be marketed exclusively by the TAO-Group.


Christmas-Testflight in winter at minus ten degrees celsius and snow

Christmas-Testflight in winter at minus ten degrees celsius and snow

2010-12-16: The tested stearing system, which was designed especially for fuelgas applications, functioned as proposed.

Do look at our video-clip


A new world record

A new world record

2010-11-22: Join us to win the “Blue Riband” of the Stratosphere, a world record for lighter than air vehicles and more coveted than the respective mythical trophy. We are looking for investors and ad-partners for the high-flying venture of stratospheric flights. In fact the TAO-Company, a spin-off of the ISD of the University of Stuttgart, has achieved the technological know-how to handle respective flights in the stratosphere, a technological performance unequalled to this day and of highly commercial utility. The magazine „Finest Finance“ gives a respective report in its actual edition. More information you find under the link „AdventureCapital“.


New Ascent Strategy

New Ascent Strategy

2010-10-29: A new improved ascent strategy was successfully implemented.

Do look at our video-clip


Over the clouds

Over the clouds

2010-10-14: New tests of on-board-systems at altitude.

Do look at our video-clip


Additional test flights of the 5 segments SkyDragon in Germany

Additional test flights of the 5 segments SkyDragon have been successfully performed in Germany.

2010-10-07: Additional test flights of the 5 segments SkyDragon have been successfully performed in Germany. New stabilization systems have been tested.

Do look at our video-clip


Further test flights of the 5-segment-prototype with on-board-camera

2010-09-29: At September 29th further test flights of the 5-segment-prototype have been successfull performed in Germany. The on-board-camera discovered incidentally a Smiley-Image on the flight field meadow.

Do look at our video-clip


TAO Technology presented at the "High Altitude and Near Space Conference 2010"

High Altitude and Near Space Conference 2010

2010-09-28 - 2010-09-30: TAO Group Technology was presented by our American Cooperationpartner Sanswire Corp. at the "High Altitude and Near Space Conference 2010" in Colorado Springs.


Initial flights of the STS-111 in Easton Airport

SD 23
SD 23 "reading" the press release dated 27th.09.2010

2010-09-27: In September 27th the STS-111 had initial flights in Easton Airport. The system was sent to the US in June 2010 from TAO Group Germany for demonstration. His older brother SD 23 in the German hangar keeps his fingers crossed for further success while reading this message.


Five segments Skydragon HAP successfully completed - free flight test in Germany

Five segments Skydragon HAP successfully completed - free flight test in Germany

2010-09-21: TAO Transatmospheric Operations GmbH and TAO Technologies GmbH successfully completed a cutting edge free flight test of its latest development which is the five segments composed SkyDragon High altitude platform (HAP).

At the same time the free flight performance of the tested SkyDragon constitutes one of our essential design goals.

The test flight included the successful testing of a new trimming and a new highly efficient landing gear.

Do look at our video-clip


A World Novelty And A Design Award

A World Novelty And A Design Award

2005-12-02: The SkyDragon Technology as a world novelty was presented at the Euromold in Frankfurt (Germany). The visitors could have a look at one of the various prototypes and which can also be seen on our website (Press releases/ expositions). The animation and real film of the SkyDragon with flight simulations and real flight film were awarded by the jury with the "3D Design in Motion-Award".

Herein you can see an extract of the award-winning TAO-movie