Lucid Bots takes drone cleaning beyond 280 feet with new Sherpa HighLine rooftop pulley system

Demonstrated at Colorado's Monarch Casino Resort Spa, the Sherpa HighLine is designed to help cleaning operators reach taller buildings, pursue more revenue opportunities and improve cleaning efficiency.

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lucid Bots today unveiled the Sherpa HighLine, a software-controlled, motorized rooftop pulley system that enabled its Sherpa drone to perform exterior cleaning at 280 feet above ground level at Monarch Casino Resort Spa in Black Hawk, Colorado. By reducing the hose weight carried by the aircraft, the system is designed to help cleaning businesses reach more properties, take on larger project scopes and work more efficiently at height.

The late-September operation took place on the resort's 23-story hotel tower. The work was completed in partnership with BlackJet Drone Solutions, MG Cleaning Systems, and Oklahoma Drone Technologies. The project demonstrated a different approach to extending drone-cleaning reach, supporting the cleaning hose from above rather than asking the aircraft to lift more weight.

For a cleaning drone, reaching higher involves more than the aircraft's ability to fly. A drone supplied by a ground-based pump must also support the suspended cleaning hose and the liquid inside it. As more hose is lifted off the ground, the load on the aircraft increases.

The project's mountain setting added another challenge. Black Hawk, Colorado is a mountain town that sits roughly 8,000 feet above sea level. At high elevations, lower-density air makes generating lift more demanding, reinforcing the importance of managing the load the aircraft must carry.

Mounted to existing rooftop equipment at the top of a building, the Sherpa HighLine transfers part of the hose's load to the rooftop support. The drone itself does not become lighter, it has less hose weight to carry, allowing it to work higher without relying solely on greater lifting capacity.

"Reaching higher has often meant making trade-offs, whether that's shaving weight off the drone or using a smaller hose to reduce the load," said Robert Blank, Vice President of Research and Development at Lucid Bots. "We wanted to move beyond removing a pound or two in pursuit of another 10 or 20 feet. Supporting the hose from the rooftop changes the equation. It allows us to pursue greater working heights while also supporting larger-diameter hoses that can deliver more flow."

— Robert Blank, Vice President of Research and Development at Lucid Bots

Smaller hoses, such as quarter-inch, reduce weight but can restrict cleaning flow. By supporting the hose from above, the Sherpa HighLine can enable larger hoses and higher flow. With suitable pumps and nozzles, that can mean faster cleaning, less time on the building, better job margins and more capacity for additional work.

"The Sherpa HighLine made this 23-story project possible," said Parker Eakins, owner of Oklahoma Drone Technologies. "The roof and launch points ruled out a roof-down flight, so we had to clean from the ground up. The HighLine supported the hose as we climbed, allowing us to reach the full 280-foot height of the building. Without it, we couldn't have completed the project on time."

— Parker Eakins, owner of Oklahoma Drone Technologies

Greater working height gives operators more buildings to bid on and more exterior surface area they can clean on each property. That can expand the scope and value of individual contracts, while more efficient cleaning can improve job margins and free up crews for additional work.

"Monarch Casino is a milestone, not a ceiling," said Andrew Ashur, Founder and CEO of Lucid Bots. "This is about helping our customers win taller buildings and clean more of each one, which means more revenue for their businesses. 280 feet is the highest a cleaning drone has cleaned in the United States, and we're still going higher."

— Andrew Ashur, Founder and CEO of Lucid Bots

Lucid Bots has not yet announced a maximum working height for the Sherpa HighLine. Testing is continuing to establish its supported operating range, with final specifications and operating requirements to be announced as development progresses.

The company plans a limited release in the fourth quarter of 2026, with full production targeted for early 2027. Operators can reserve a place in line with a $250 refundable deposit, credited toward the purchase price, at https://lucidbots.shop/products/sherpa-highline. Purchase is subject to operator approval and required training.

About Lucid Bots

Lucid Bots is the world's largest provider of cleaning drones and the manufacturer of the Sherpa drone, a purpose-built platform for exterior cleaning and protection applications. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company is backed by Y Combinator and $34 million in funding and serves a network of more than 400 operators across more than 40 states and three continents.

Lucid Bots partners with its customers beyond the equipment sale, combining hands-on training, U.S.-based technical support and ongoing product innovation to help operators take on more work, improve productivity and grow their businesses. The Sherpa drone is designed and built in the United States, with a distinct NDAA-compliant configuration available. Learn more at lucidbots.com.

Contact: Abigail Steinberg | [email protected] 

SOURCE Lucid Bots