Zéphyr is a photovoltaic balloon and eco-friendly generator created by Karen Assaraf, Julie Dautel, and Cédric Tomissi, and their France-based start-up EONEF. The autonomous aerial platform takes the form of a helium balloon. Operating individually or as an aerial observation network, the solar-powered balloons can be deployed in under an hour, can fly to 30 days at a time, are capable of withstanding winds of 43 mph (70 kph), and can fly at great altitudes.




The EONEF balloons can be used for a wide range of sustainability initiatives. They are being incorporated in scientific missions like observing wildlife, measuring air quality, and can be used to promote coordination during a disaster. It is easily one of our favorite sustainable innovation projects to come out of France in recent years.