German car parts maker ZF Friedrichshafen has announced that it has become the first company in Germany to receive permission to conduct automated UAS flights over factory premises.

The company recently began using a prototype UAS to fly spare parts such as sensors or control cards from the central warehouse to workshops.

According to ZF, once it has completed test flights and the UAS are properly deployed, these flights will relieve vehicle traffic at the plant, ultimately saving time on the up to one kilometer-long delivery routes that are often on the upper floors of buildings.

ZF adds that in the long term, the UAS could be used to deliver packages outside of factory premises. An example of this would be to facilitate package delivery in hard-to-access residential areas.

“With approvals for automated drone flights from the Stuttgart Regional Administrative Authority and the German Air Traffic Control DFS, we can accelerate logistics processes in the plant and at the same time strengthen our technological leadership position,” explains Fredrik Staedtler, head of ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Technology division.

“With the drone, we are taking the transport chain to the next level.”

A six-motor UAS is being used to conduct the flights. The UAS is capable of carrying up to five kilograms in weight by air (or three kilograms of goods after taking into account the grippers and transport box.) This capability is enough for the vast majority of spare parts and tools that need to be transported on ZF's premises.

ZF says that for safety purposes, the UAS primarily flies over the roofs of plant buildings. Only when there is no alternative does it cross driveways and sidewalks.

Additionally, the UAS can still maneuver even if one motor fails, thanks to being equipped with a rechargeable battery that is redundant just like the propellers and motors.