Aircraft Comparison
Lucid Sherpa vs. Apellix B2: It's Not a Wash
On current manufacturer-published numbers, the B2 and Sherpa are not interchangeable. The B2 publishes up to 32 minutes versus 19, up to 195 feet versus 150, and window cleaning without an added aircraft payload. The Sherpa publishes a higher maximum pressure number and a more mature public software story. The final buying decision is bigger than either spec sheet: who helps turn the aircraft into paid work?
+13 MIN
Published maximum flight-time gap
B2 up to 32 minutes; Sherpa up to 19. Manufacturer maxima, not a synchronized field test.
[01]
The airframes make different bets
The Apellix B2 publishes up to 32 minutes of flight time, up to 195 feet of reach, up to 4,000 PSI at the pump, and up to 11 GPM. It ships with eight batteries and two rapid chargers.
The Lucid Sherpa publishes up to 19 minutes, up to 150 feet, up to 4,500 PSI, and up to 12 GPM at 300 PSI for soft washing. Its maximum pressure and maximum soft-wash flow are different operating points, so they should not be presented as simultaneous output.
[02]
Pressure is one number. Production is a system.
Lucid owns the higher published maximum-pressure number. Apellix owns the longer published flight time and reach. Which matters more depends on the surface, chemistry, pump, hose, standoff, wind, water quality, rinse standard, and the number of times the crew must interrupt the work.
That is why 'same category' does not mean 'same operating economics.' A drone that stays airborne longer and reaches farther can change the shape of a job even when another aircraft claims more peak pressure.
[03]
Window cleaning exposes the package difference
The B2 handles window cleaning by method without an added aircraft payload. The Sherpa requires an optional window payload. The relevant package comparison is therefore the configuration that includes it, not the lowest advertised entry price.
The visible hardware price is only part of ownership. Batteries, chargers, training, loaner access, support, window capability, and the process for getting real work all belong in the same comparison.
[04]
The biggest difference is what happens after delivery
Lucid's own Series B announcement describes its model plainly: 'The operator brings the contract.' That can work for an established cleaning company with demand already in hand. It is not job placement.
SkyPSI's wedge is guaranteed work. On the full commercial pathway, one paid commercial job comes after qualification. That does not make the aircraft comparison disappear. It makes the business comparison much less close.
With Guaranteed Work