Aventour AI Drone Explorer, a concept drone that becomes your companion for the ride. Long-distance travel used to mean freedom. But in an age of megacities and endless sprawl, that freedom is harder to come by. Our team set out to imagine something that could bring it back, mobility that’s fast, safe, and just as much about the journey as the destination.
As part of the “Future Autonomous Mobility for Russia 2035” project, the designer was tasked with designing a drone, something more than just a flying camera. I wanted it to feel intelligent, helpful, and most of all, human. The result is the Aventour AI Drone Explorer, an autonomous scout that helps the main vehicle navigate the road ahead, map terrain, and anticipate hazards before they’re even visible.
From the top, its silhouette nods to Renault’s diamond-shaped identity. Not just a design gesture, but a statement: this drone belongs to a system, not just a machine. The aerodynamic body uses low-pressure zones for lift—no blades, no fans, no noise. Just clean motion, powered by an imagined future of tech that feels within reach.
Denis Plekhanov explains how it works: the AI sends the drone up to 5 km ahead, where it flies autonomously, scanning terrain and collecting data. It then returns and offloads everything to the onboard AI, which updates the travel route in real time. In emergencies, it can also transmit live data within a 50-meter radius.
When Aventour AI Drone Explorer was presented, Denis had the honor of receiving feedback from design veterans like Anthony Grade and Andrey Basmanov. Their insights pushed him to refine not only the design but the thinking behind it. It was a breakthrough—both creatively and personally. This wasn’t just about a drone. It was about making technology feel alive, intuitive, and—most of all—supportive of human connection.
