Unpack a complete field kit.
The module travels protected in its fitted hard case. Lift it out, inspect the mount and connections, and prepare the Matrice 400 before the hose is pressurized.
Control the wash from the controller you already fly.
HoverWash 3 is designed around DJI Matrice 400, DJI Pilot 2 and RC Plus 2 Enterprise Enhanced. PSDK connects the payload controls to the flight workflow instead of leaving the boom as passive hardware.
Choose the nozzle. Then choose the motion.
Pressure and foam use separate physical nozzles. Either cleaning mode can remain fixed or run the repeatable 30° left-and-right sweep.
Nozzle mapLive response
Active nozzle
Red · Pressure
Fixed direction
Concentrated rinse
Red pressure nozzle selected · fixed direction.
From ground system to airborne cleaning pass.
The supplied demonstration shows the hose-fed workflow in operation. Pump and site equipment shown are examples and are not included in the HoverWash 3 airborne kit.
Five motions. One repeatable workflow.
From opening the case to an automatic cleaning pass, every step is designed around the aircraft, controller, hose and ground rig working as one system.
Install both cleaning nozzles.
Fit the concentrated rinse and foam nozzles before takeoff. The dual-nozzle assembly lets the operator change cleaning modes from the controller workflow instead of landing for a manual swap.
Connect the ground rig to the aircraft.
Connect the supplied ultralight hose to the selected pump system and the airborne module. Confirm every fitting, route the hose without sharp bends, and maintain clear working slack.
Set the sweep for the surface.
The head supports a 30 degree left and 30 degree right cross-sweep. Configure the washing orientation vertically or horizontally to match the facade zone and planned flight path.
Let the route hold the line.
Pilot-supervised A-B routes and facade missions repeat the cleaning pass while the crew monitors the aircraft, hose, site and abort plan.
Signal and water meet at the aircraft.
HoverWash 3 coordinates two systems at once: the controller sends intent while HoverWash Rig 13 supplies flow. The airborne module turns both paths into one controlled cleaning response.
RC Plus 2
Mission, nozzle and sweep commands
DJI PSDK
Command transport through M400
HoverWash 3 airborne module
CONVERGENCE
Receives the command, directs the head and delivers the selected cleaning medium.
Payload response
Nozzle switch or controlled sweep
Matched pump
Validated pressure and flow
200 ft hose
Ultralight water and foam supply
Facade output
Foam, concentrated rinse or sweep
Control signal
RC Plus 2
Operator selects the mission, nozzle and sweep command.
DJI PSDK
The command travels through the Matrice 400 workflow.
Payload response
HoverWash 3 switches mode or moves the cleaning head.
Water and foam path
Matched pump
The ground system supplies validated pressure and flow.
200 ft hose
The ultralight line carries water or foam to the aircraft.
Facade output
HoverWash 3 applies the selected foam, rinse jet or sweep pattern.
Control signalWater and foam pathBoth paths are validated as one operating system.
Close the cleaning loop on the ground.
HoverWash 3 controls the cleaning action in the air. HoverWash Rig 13 supplies the matched pressure, detergent proportioning and hose management below—so crews do not have to assemble a disconnected pump setup around the aircraft.
- Rig 13 pump
- Remote start and stop with adjustable working pressure
- Rig 13 mixer
- Adjustable water flow and detergent ratio, plus line-clearing functions
- Field handling
- Integrated hose reel and water connection in one transportable rig
Explore HoverWash Rig 13CAD $11,399 MSRP
HoverWash Rig 13
Pump · mixer · hose management
One coordinated water and chemistry path.
HoverWash Rig 13 prepares and manages the ground-side supply. The 200 ft ultralight line carries it to HoverWash 3, where the operator selects foam, concentrated rinse or sweep from the M400 workflow.
- 01Water source
- 02Rig 13 pump
- 03Rig 13 mixer
- 04Hose reel
- 05HoverWash 3 airborne kit
Rig 13 pump.
Adjust working pressure and operate the pump remotely from the rig workflow.
Rig 13 mixer.
Set water flow and detergent proportioning, purge trapped air and clear the chemical line.
HoverWash Rig 13 is sold separately from the HoverWash 3 Airborne Kit. Final pressure, flow, cleaning chemistry, fittings, hose lift and surface compatibility require job-specific validation. Aircraft, airborne payload, generator, water supply and detergent are excluded unless explicitly quoted.
The difference is control.
Payload control
PSDK commands on the M400 controller workflow
Mode change
Foam-to-pressure switching without a landing
Coverage
Controlled sweep and supported route tools
Ground fit
Pump and hose matching available from SkyFlow
Ownership
SkyFlow proprietary configuration with customization accepted
What's in the box.
The CAD $6,630 MSRP covers the airborne cleaning kit. The Matrice 400, controller, batteries and pump remain separate so you can build around equipment you already own.
Not included: DJI Matrice 400, RC Plus 2 Enterprise Enhanced, batteries, pump, water tank, generator, ground station, detergent and site-specific fittings.
HoverWash 3 Smart Airborne Washing Module
Dual-nozzle boom, PSDK controller and Matrice 400 quick-release belly mount.
200 ft Ultralight Pressure Hose
One 60 m hose with the standard connection hardware.
Hard Polymer and Metal Transport Case
Fitted protection for the module, nozzles and mounting hardware.
HoverWash 3 App Access and Setup
Controller integration for nozzle mode, sweep and supported mission controls.
Specifications.
Supplier ratings are shown for planning. Final pressure, standoff, height, chemistry and pump settings depend on the delivered configuration, target surface and approved site procedure.
Airborne module
- Dimensions
- 970 × 94 × 131 mm
- Weight
- Approx. 1.4 kg
- Mount
- Quick-release, beneath DJI Matrice 400
- Aircraft interface
- E-Port V2 / DJI PSDK workflow
- Power
- 24 V input; ≤30 W peak
- Operating temperature
- -20 °C to 45 °C
Cleaning control
- Nozzle modes
- Concentrated water jet and foam
- Sweep
- 30° left + 30° right cross-sweep
- Fixed aiming
- Forward, left, right, up and down
- Controller
- DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise Enhanced
- Mission tools
- Pilot-supervised A-B routes and facade missions
- Rated jet reach
- 7 to 10 m in supplier test configuration
Hose integration
- Included
- 1 × 200 ft (60 m) ultralight hose roll
- Extended setup
- Up to 400 ft (120 m), validated configuration
- Inner / outer diameter
- 4.0 / 8.6 mm
- Working pressure
- Up to 30 MPa, delivered-hose limit
- Supplier burst rating
- >60 MPa
- Minimum bend radius
- 55 mm
CAD $6,630
MSRP · HoverWash 3 airborne cleaning kit
Choose the aircraft around the building.
HoverWash 150 prioritizes height and production on large open surfaces. HoverWash 3 prioritizes sensing, software control and access around complicated architecture. Neither is the universal answer—the site decides.
SkyFlow HoverWash 150
Choose height and production capacity.
400–450 ft
Configured reach · extended hose
Tall, broad and comparatively open surfaces where reach, flow and area-per-hour matter most.
- Dedicated cleaning aircraft for high-rise facade, tower and large-area work
- 15 L/min spray flow with 30 MPa rated pressure in the supplied brochure
- Up to 1,000 m²/h light cleaning or 500 m²/h deep cleaning
- Fixed or oscillating mount with four nozzle angles
Viewing nowHoverWash 3 For M400
Choose intelligence and geometric access.
300–350 ft
Configured reach · extended hose
Irregular facades, setbacks, courtyards and mixed cleaning passes where sensing and controller integration matter most.
- Matrice 400 rotating and upper LiDAR, vision sensing and six-direction mmWave radar
- Vision positioning is applicable when GNSS is weak or unavailable, within DJI operating limits
- PSDK control, one-button foam/rinse switching and a repeatable ±30° sweep
- Fits teams already standardized on the Matrice 400 aircraft and controller workflow
Decision factorHoverWash 150HoverWash 3 For M400
Building pattern
Long, open elevations; towers; solar arrays; wind and grid assets
Recesses, setbacks, courtyards, overhangs and complex facade geometry
Navigation
Dual RTK with radar obstacle sensing and front vision
Omnidirectional vision, rotating and upper LiDAR, infrared ranging and mmWave radar
Cleaning control
Fixed or oscillating mount; four task-specific nozzle angles
DJI PSDK, foam/rinse switching, controlled sweep and supported route tools
Production profile
Higher-flow dedicated platform for large repetitive surfaces
More configurable, precision-led workflow with a smaller airborne module
Ground workflow
Dedicated tethered water-supply operation
200 ft hose included; pair with HoverWash Rig 13 for pump, mixer and hose management
Primary tradeoff
Larger dedicated-aircraft logistics in exchange for reach and higher production capacity
M400 payload and suspended-hose margins constrain practical height; the 1.4 kg module uses the quick-release workflow
Choose HoverWash 150 when
The elevation is tall and repetitive, the operating area is relatively open, and maximizing reach or cleaning output is the primary constraint.
Choose HoverWash 3 when
The architecture is irregular, GNSS may be challenged, the crew already flies M400, or foam/rinse control and repeatable sweep matter more than maximum height.
Pair HoverWash Rig 13 when
HoverWash 3 needs an integrated ground pump, detergent mixer, remote controls and organized hose management.
Planning ranges are configuration targets, not guaranteed legal or performance limits. HoverWash 150’s 400–450 ft and HoverWash 3’s 300–350 ft ranges require a validated hose, pump, weather, water, payload and site plan. DJI rates Matrice 400 for up to 6 kg at the third connector with screw-lock fastening under sea-level conditions, while its quick-release port is rated to 3 kg; payload capacity decreases with altitude. The HoverWash 3 airborne module is approximately 1.4 kg before suspended hose forces are considered. DJI also cautions that vision and obstacle sensing depend on light, texture, reflectivity and obstacle material; transparent glass and low-texture surfaces require additional care. Platform references: DJI Matrice 400 specifications and DJI Matrice 400 user manual.
Commercial planning · HoverWash 3
Turn a wall into a business case.
Start with measured area, a tested production band and a local selling rate. Then compare the airborne kit with complete M400 and ground-rig configurations.
Assumption-led planning model · CAD · pre-tax
2,000–4,000
m² / production day
21,528–43,056 ft²/day. Supplier planning range for HoverWash 3; validate with a representative test panel.
500
m² / manual baseline day
5,382 ft²/day, supplied as a comparison baseline—not a Canadian industry universal.
4–8×
calculated throughput multiple
The often-quoted 7–8× result only occurs near 3,500–4,000 m²/day. Geometry, finishing, weather and hose handling can materially reduce output.
Live commercial model
Quote the job. Stress-test the payback.
Change every important assumption. The model uses contribution margin after direct job costs—not gross sales—to estimate production-day payback.
Planning quote
3,716.1 m² · 1.9 production days
$9,500
Contribution / day
$2,812
Quote × contribution margin ÷ estimated production days.
Equipment payback
2.4 days
Production days at the modeled contribution—not calendar days or guaranteed recovery.
Equipment basis
$6,630
Annual contribution
$84,362
Modeled year-one ROI
1,172.4%
Planning model, not a promise. Results are pre-tax and exclude financing, depreciation, idle calendar time and changes in demand. Equipment prices are the currently configured CAD MSRP inputs; confirm the final quotation. Test the surface, system and approved operating plan before committing production.
Canada benchmark
Know the labour signal. Price the building.
Job Bank wage medians help estimate labour—not the selling price of high-rise work. The daily equivalent below is eight hours and excludes payroll burden, training, high-rise premiums, access gear, supervision, insurance, overhead and profit.
| Province | Median / hour | 8-hour wage equivalent | Use in a quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| British Columbia BC | $20 | $160 | Starting wage input only |
| Alberta AB | $20 | $160 | Starting wage input only |
| Saskatchewan SK | $16 | $128 | Starting wage input only |
| Manitoba MB | $17 | $136 | Starting wage input only |
| Ontario ON | $19 | $154 | Starting wage input only |
| Quebec QC | $21 | $168 | Starting wage input only |
| New Brunswick NB | $18 | $140 | Starting wage input only |
| Nova Scotia NS | $18 | $144 | Starting wage input only |
| Prince Edward Island PE | $18 | $144 | Starting wage input only |
| Newfoundland and Labrador NL | $17 | $136 | Starting wage input only |
Major-city view
Vancouver, BC
$21/h · $168/day
Calgary, AB
$20/h · $158/day
Edmonton, AB
$21/h · $168/day
Toronto, ON
$19/h · $154/day
Ottawa, ON
$20/h · $160/day
Montréal, QCprovince proxy
$21/h · $168/day
Winnipeg, MBprovince proxy
$17/h · $136/day
Halifax, NS
$18/h · $144/day
Public market signals—not a rate card
Toronto / GTA
CAD $0.20/ft² appears as a lower-end high-rise discussion benchmark; published local projects are more often priced by pane, access and mobilization.
Best use: Use $0.20/ft² only as a conservative model input, then validate the actual elevation and access plan.
Toronto contractor discussionVancouver / Lower Mainland
A local 2026 guide publishes CAD $0.50–$2.50/ft² for broad commercial window-cleaning work; a rope-access guide publishes $2–$4 per pane.
Best use: Treat the spread as evidence that glass type and access dominate the rate—not as a drone-cleaning tariff.
Vancouver market guideMontréal / Brossard
A local commercial cleaner publishes CAD $15–$25 per window for commercial glass cleaning.
Best use: Convert panes to measured cleanable area before comparing against an area-based drone quote.
Montréal commercial rate cardCalgary / Edmonton / Ottawa / Halifax
Credible public area rates are sparse; providers emphasize height, barriers, timing, surface and written site review.
Best use: Build from production cost and target margin, then compare the finished quote with two local contractor bids.
Calgary quoting guidanceHow to quote a wall-cleaning job
Seven decisions before one price.
A defensible quote begins with the building, not a copied price per square foot.
Working formula
Area × validated rate × complexity + mobilization
Then reconcile direct cost, overhead, contingency and profit.
- 01
Measure the cleanable elevation
Use drawings, a laser measure or a scaled orthomosaic. Record width × height for each façade zone and separate glass, metal, masonry, signage and excluded openings.
- 02
Classify soil and finish standard
Record dust, salt, algae, grease, mineral staining and construction residue. Define whether the result is a rinse, soft wash, pressure wash or streak-controlled glass finish.
- 03
Survey flight, hose and public interfaces
Map setbacks, recesses, overheads, airspace, people, traffic, water, drainage, anchoring, hose path and emergency landing areas before choosing the aircraft.
- 04
Select a conservative production band
For HoverWash 3, model 2,000–4,000 m²/day only after a representative test panel. Use the low end for first cleans, complex geometry, frequent repositioning or detailed glass finishing.
- 05
Build direct cost before markup
Include flight and ground crew, mobilization, travel, water, power, chemistry, filtration, runoff control, batteries, maintenance, insurance allocation and any permit or airspace coordination.
- 06
Apply complexity and margin
Multiply the area rate for soil, geometry and access, add a mobilization minimum, then apply overhead and profit. Keep optional lift, rope-access or manual-detailing allowances separate.
- 07
State assumptions and exclusions
Attach the surface test, weather limits, completion standard, water and power responsibilities, access window, public-control plan, tax and change-order conditions to the quote.
Competitive context
Different machines solve different access problems.
The relevant comparison is not “drone versus drone.” It is working height, wash method, building geometry, deployment model and the operating system around the aircraft.
Lucid Bots Sherpa
Public manufacturer information
Purpose-built cleaning drone
Up to 150 ft, up to 4,500 psi, soft wash and pressure wash; public starting price USD $45,750.
Best comparison question: A mature North American contractor package when 150 ft covers the target building.
Apellix B2
Public manufacturer information
Heavy-lift industrial wash drone
Up to 190 ft with included soft-wash hose, up to 4,000 psi at the pump and 8–10 GPM.
Best comparison question: Heavy industrial spraying and washing where payload and pump output matter more than compact logistics.
KTV Working Drone
Public manufacturer information
Cleaning service and partner network
Filtered water, heat and moderate pressure with proprietary chemistry and a roof safety system.
Best comparison question: A managed façade-maintenance method rather than an equipment-only purchase.
Wisson Orion AP3
Public manufacturer information
Tethered flexible cleaning robot
Pliabot flexible-arm systems positioned for complex curtain-wall geometry and enterprise cleaning projects.
Best comparison question: Specialized contact or non-contact cleaning where a flexible aerial work arm is central to the method.
Skyline Robotics Ozmo
Public manufacturer information
Roof-suspended robotic window cleaner
LiDAR, force sensing and AI path planning; the company positions it at roughly three times human cleaning speed.
Best comparison question: Dedicated high-rise glass programs where roof deployment and contact cleaning fit the building.
Questions buyers actually ask
Finish. Flight. Risk. Economics.
These questions recur in contractor and drone-operator discussions. The answers separate physical limits, regulatory duties and commercial assumptions.
01How much wall can HoverWash 3 clean in one day?
The supplier planning range is 2,000–4,000 m² per production day, equal to about 21,528–43,056 ft². Actual output depends on soil, geometry, hose lift, water delivery, flight interruptions, finishing standard and the approved operating area. Validate the rate on a representative test panel before quoting it as production capacity.
02Is drone façade cleaning really seven to eight times faster than manual cleaning?
Against the supplied 500 m²/day manual baseline, 2,000–4,000 m²/day is mathematically 4–8×. The 7–8× claim applies only near 3,500–4,000 m²/day. It should not be presented as a universal result.
03Can a cleaning drone leave glass streak-free?
It can produce a strong exterior rinse, but streak-free glass depends on water purity, detergent residue, mineral load, soil, temperature, pass pattern and edge detailing. Use deionized or reverse-osmosis water where appropriate and approve a test panel before promising a finish standard.
04Does high pressure damage windows, seals or cladding?
It can if pressure, nozzle, standoff, angle or chemistry are mismatched. Every quote should identify the surface and seal condition, begin with the least aggressive effective method and require a test patch. Pressure at the pump is not the same as pressure delivered at the surface.
05Can HoverWash operate when GPS or GNSS is weak?
Matrice 400 vision positioning can assist when GNSS is weak or unavailable within DJI's published limits. Glass, repetitive textures, low light and operation above the effective vision-positioning range can reduce performance, so GNSS-challenged work still requires a validated site and abort plan.
06Does a parachute make the operation risk-free?
No. A parachute can be one risk-control layer, but it does not make risk zero and does not by itself authorize flight over people. The aircraft configuration, safety assurance, pilot privileges, airspace permission, exclusion zone and operating procedures must all match the mission.
07What insurance should a Canadian drone-cleaning contractor carry?
Discuss aviation-specific third-party liability and hull or equipment coverage with a qualified broker, and confirm whether the commercial general liability policy excludes aviation work. Client contracts may require limits beyond the regulatory minimum. Coverage transfers financial exposure; it does not remove operational risk.
08Can drone cleaning replace rope access, lifts or swing stages on every building?
No. Drones are strongest on accessible exterior planes where a controlled spray can reach the finish. Deep soffits, balconies, screens, bonded debris, interior glass, hand detailing, containment constraints and some public or airspace environments may still require another access method.
09What controls the practical cleaning height?
Aircraft payload, hose mass, water column, fitting losses, pump curve, wind, geometry and the safety plan all matter. A hose length is not a guaranteed working height. HoverWash ranges are configuration targets that require system and site validation.
10How should a contractor price a drone wall-cleaning job?
Measure cleanable area, classify surface and soil, select a validated production rate, calculate direct daily cost, apply geometry and access factors, add mobilization, overhead and profit, then publish assumptions and exclusions. Do not copy a city rate without reconciling it to the actual building.
Research notes · reviewed August 23, 2026
Transport Canada · advanced operations Transport Canada · RPAS safety assurance NAV CANADA · NAV Drone and geozones Government of Canada Job Bank · window-cleaner wages DJI · Matrice 400 specifications DJI · Matrice 400 user manual Contractor discussion · drone-cleaning pricing and workflow Window-cleaning operator AMA · finish, water and quoting Drone-operator discussion · stability, hose and commercial fit
Manufacturer specifications and public pricing can change. Forum and local-provider figures are market signals, not independently audited performance or a recommended tariff. Transport Canada requirements depend on the aircraft, configuration, location and operation.
Before you configure.
HoverWash 3 is commercial aircraft equipment. A site survey, trained flight crew, controlled ground area, hose-management plan and surface test remain part of every deployment.
Pilot-supervised means the operator can pause, override or stop the mission. Automation does not transfer responsibility from the flight crew.
Is HoverWash 3 For M400 a complete cleaning drone?
HoverWash 3 For M400 is the airborne cleaning kit and software layer for DJI Matrice 400. The aircraft, RC Plus 2 Enterprise Enhanced, batteries, ground pump, water supply, generator and detergent are not included in the CAD $6,630 kit unless quoted separately.
What pump works with HoverWash 3 For M400?
HoverWash 3 For M400 can be configured around compatible gas or electric pressure-washer and soft-wash pumps. Pump pressure, flow, fittings, hose lift, nozzle and the target surface must be matched as one system. SkyFlow can validate a proposed pump or configure a complete HoverWash ground package.
Can I switch from foam to pressure washing in flight?
Yes. The integrated dual-nozzle assembly is designed to switch between foam application and a concentrated water-jet mode from the M400 remote-controller workflow, without landing to change a nozzle.
Does it fly facade routes automatically?
The HoverWash 3 app supports pilot-supervised A-B routes and automatic facade mission workflows. The pilot remains responsible for the aircraft, separation distance, hose behaviour, obstacles, wind, people below and all pause or abort decisions.
How much hose is included?
The standard kit includes one 200 ft (60 m) ultralight high-pressure hose roll. A validated two-section configuration can extend the hose workflow to approximately 400 ft (120 m), subject to pump performance, fittings, hose management and the site plan.
Can SkyFlow customize the kit?
Yes. SkyFlow accepts custom pump, fitting, hose-length, transport-case and operating-workflow requests. Final suitability is confirmed against the aircraft configuration, surface, chemistry and jobsite conditions.
Already fly an M400? Buy the kit. If not, start with a complete aircraft package.
Each package uses the published HoverWash 3 and Matrice 400 catalogue prices without a hidden bundle premium. Move up only when you need the aircraft power system or HoverWash Rig 13.
SF3-M400-KIT
Add HoverWash 3 to the M400 you already own.
CAD $6,630
HoverWash 3 airborne kit
Best for
Established Matrice 400 operators with an RC Plus 2 Enterprise Enhanced and a compatible battery-and-charging workflow.
What changes
Airborne module, software, case and one 200 ft ultralight hose. Aircraft, power system and ground rig remain separate.
SF3-M400-KIT-W-DRONE-BASIC
Start with the lower-cost M400 aircraft package.
CAD $18,248
$6,630 HoverWash 3 + $11,618 M400 Basic
Best for
Teams that need the M400 and controller but already have compatible TB100 batteries and BS100 charging equipment.
What changes
Adds the M400 SP Plus Basic aircraft package. A TB100 flight battery and BS100 battery station are not included.
SF3-M400-KIT-W-DRONE-ADVANCED
Launch with a ready-to-fly M400 power workflow.
CAD $22,354
$6,630 HoverWash 3 + $15,724 M400 Advanced
Best for
New airborne-cleaning crews that need the aircraft, controller, one flight battery and field charging from day one.
What changes
Adds the M400 SP Plus Ready-to-Fly package with one TB100 battery and one BS100 intelligent battery station.
SF3-COMPLETE-PACKAGE
Bring the airborne and ground systems together.
CAD $33,753
$22,354 Advanced package + $11,399 HoverWash Rig 13
Best for
Companies building a complete commercial facade-cleaning capability instead of integrating a separate pump system.
What changes
Combines the advanced M400 package with HoverWash Rig 13’s pump, mixer and integrated hose management.
Prices are CAD MSRP before tax and shipping. The Basic M400 package requires compatible flight batteries and charging equipment before operation. Water supply, generator, detergent and site-specific fittings are quoted separately unless explicitly included.