Stories of Technology, Innovation, & Entrepreneurship in the Southeast

Whisper Aero Inc., a finalist in this year’s PYA-sponsored Ballard Innovation Award, has unveiled the first electric tow behind blower powered by WhisperDrive™ technology to deliver powerful 250N performance while operating under 65 dBA.

The device leverages multiple WhisperDrives for golf course cleanup, landscape management tasks, highway debris removal, and other large-scale maintenance efforts where moving more air quietly and efficiently is necessary. Over the past year, Whisper Aero uncovered a significant unmet need for quieter professional-grade blowers through its engagements with landscaping services, businesses, and neighborhoods across the United States.

The electric tow behind blower comes as cities, and states are implementing stricter noise ordinances, limiting outdoor power equipment to operating below 65 dBA. Traditional gas-powered blowers (backpack and large format) far exceed these limits, restricting when and where they can be used.

Existing battery-powered alternatives often lack the power and runtime required for large-scale tasks, hindering their adoption to less than 22 percent of the market.

Understanding this gap, Whisper sought a new solution for professionals who need to clear large
areas like golf courses, parks, and commercial spaces quickly, quietly, and efficiently. The handheld
leaf blower Whisper unveiled last year proved it was possible to move 40 percent more air, with 40 percent less power, and 16 dB less than even other handheld electric alternatives. The team went back to the drawing board and asked themselves if leveraging the advantages of distributed electric propulsion could unlock a transformative product.

The result of Whisper’s efforts was an electric tow behind blower combining the power of 10 professional leaf blowers into one machine—truly one blower to rule them all. The Whisper Tow Behind Blower’s 10-fan array amplifies airflow and thrust, effectively handling large-scale maintenance tasks with ease. Each WhisperDrive within the Tow Behind operates electrically with only 45 dBA at 50’, ensuring emission-free, ultra-quiet performance for unrestricted operations in any area. Golf courses can schedule more tee times in the morning and parks can maintain cleanliness without disturbing patrons or nearby residents.

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