A Career Anchored in Aerospace, a Vision Grounded in Mobility
“COVID gave us the wake-up call to make use of robotics. We saw logistics bottlenecks due to the lack of drivers, pilots, and manpower. What if we could deliver people and cargo safely in the sky without relying on human operators?” Lee recalled.
With a background in flight dynamics and control from Purdue University and drone research at Singapore’s NTU, Lee has long been immersed in aerospace space. Lee founded Alphaswift, focusing on pioneering advanced air mobility (AAM) for autonomous aerial mobility to redefine transportation.
“The endgame? Ultimate freedom,” he shared. “Just like owning a car gives you spontaneous mobility, AAM should one day allow you to fly to Penang, Johor, or Singapore without thinking twice.”
The Name Behind the Flight
The company’s name, Alphaswift, encapsulates its identity and ambition. “Swift” represents one of the fastest birds, while “Alpha” stands for strength and leadership. Together, they reflect Lee’s pursuit of creating the strongest and fastest flying robot systems in the skies.
Alphaswift is building autonomous flying robots – sophisticated machines equipped with sensors, AI, and navigation capabilities—designed to move physical objects.
“The goal is to move things like you would send an email,” Lee explained. “All you need to do is to click ‘send’. We want that same seamlessness for moving physical objects.”
Solving for Scale, Safety, and Sustainability
What sets Alphaswift apart is its hybrid technology. While typical battery-powered drones require multiple batteries and generators to operate all day, Alphaswift’s machines onboard petrol-fuelled generators.
“We’re reducing reliance on batteries, which have short lifespans and high environmental costs. Ironically, even batteries require petrol generators for recharging. Our hybrid drones cut that out,” Lee emphasised. “This is innovation with a practical and sustainable lens.”
Tailored Tech for Local Needs
Alphaswift’s solutions are designed for real-world applications. In agriculture, they offer long-endurance spraying capabilities, which are especially valuable in large plantations in Brazil, where Alphaswift has made significant inroads.
The company is working closely with local players in Malaysia to develop drone technology for the oil palm industry. “Palm oil is tricky. You can’t just spray everything. You need precision to target certain parts of the crop. That’s a unique challenge we’re solving.”
Beyond agriculture, Alphaswift is working on cargo delivery and moving supplies. “It’s faster, safer, and cheaper,” Lee said. “We’re running proof-of-concept projects, and it opens up a whole new market segment.”
AI + Robotics Takes to the Sky
While autonomous cars continue to struggle with human environments’ unpredictability, Lee believes flying robots have a clearer path forward. “Ground environments can be messy, and humans are unpredictable,” he enthused. With only the weather and birds to deal with, taking to the skies could be simpler. The most dangerous parts are take-off and landing. That’s where we focus our AI.”
However, Lee is pragmatic about building the business. Product-market fit comes from deep industry conversations, proof-of-concept trials, and constant iteration. “We read academic papers, monitor competitors, and experiment fearlessly. Failure is allowed as long as safety is maintained. That spirit is essential to our company culture.”
“We carry lives. If my team lacks integrity, it’s dangerous,” Lee stated. “We teach that from day one. Every component must be checked. Every log must be honest.”
Alphaswift currently has a team of 10 engineers and technicians, and is fundraising to scale up production. “We need to grow our output and lower costs through economies of scale. Our tech is ready. Now it’s time to grow.”
Flying Forward with Leave a Nest
The company is currently housed under Leave a Nest Malaysia, a Japanese-founded deep tech incubator in Cyberjaya, known for its focus on real-world science and technology “It’s not a typical co-working space. We’re building hardware that carries lives. Leave a Nest has exposed us to Japanese manufacturing culture—precision, care, and a constant desire to improve. That’s invaluable.”
Lee sees Alphaswift at the intersection of robotics, mobility, and autonomy. “We’re not just solving logistics. We’re reimagining how physical objects move. It’s about changing human behaviour, changing expectations.” And if that means one day hopping into a robot-powered aircraft to get to your next meeting? That day, says Dr Shian Lee, is coming.
