A Chicago-based start-up called Valqari says that its patented Smart Drone Delivery Mailbox solves the last inch logistic problems associated with drone delivery.
Described as a “universal drone receptacle for package delivery and pick-up,” the smart mailbox is equipped with agnostic capabilities to ensure seamless integration and communication with any UAS manufacturer during a fully-automated delivery process.
Valqari says that with its smart mailbox, it can “revolutionize drone deliveries” for a variety of industries, including pharmaceuticals, meal delivery and grocery services, governments and residential e-commerce.
Package Delivery
Package Delivery
UPS, Matternet delivering medical samples in North Carolina using drones
UPS has announced a partnership with Matternet to use drones to deliver medical samples in North Carolina, marking the “first FAA sanctioned use of a drone for routine revenue flights involving the transport of a product under a contractual delivery agreement,” the companies say.
Airbus' Skyways drone demonstrates capabilities during shore-to-ship trials in Singapore
Airbus has announced that it has started shore-to-ship trials in Singapore using its Skyways parcel delivery drone.
According to Airbus, this is the first time that UAS technology has been utilized in real port conditions to deliver small, time-critical maritime essentials to working vessels at anchorage.
“We are thrilled to launch the first trial of its kind in the maritime world,” says Airbus’ Skyways lead, Leo Jeoh.
“Today’s accomplishment is a culmination of months of intense preparation by our dedicated team, and the strong collaboration with our partner, as we pursue a new terrain in the maritime industry.”
Kroger and Nuro launching their autonomous grocery delivery service in Houston
Just months after launching a first-of-its-kind self-driving grocery delivery service in Scottsdale, Arizona back in Aug. 2018, Kroger and Nuro have announced that they will launch their autonomous grocery delivery service in Houston.
Expected to begin this spring, the service will be available through two Houston Kroger stores, serving customers residing in four local zip codes.
Flirtey granted permission to conduct BVLOS UAS delivery flights under UAS IPP
The city of Reno, Nevada has announced that Flirtey—one of its partners in the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP)—has received approval from the FAA to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS delivery flights.
With the approval, Flirtey will be able to conduct UAS delivery operations with a pilot controlling the flights from a remote location.
“Flirtey’s industry-leading technology is now approved for drone delivery beyond visual line of sight, a major milestone that brings life-saving and commercial drone delivery another step closer to your doorstep,” says Flirtey Founder and CEO Matthew Sweeny.
China Post and Deppon Express starting autonomous package delivery services in April
Two Chinese delivery and logistics companies, China Post and Deppon Express, have announced that in April, they will begin making commercial deliveries using self-driving trucks, with the first trucks being put into daily commercial use in China.
The trucks will be equipped with autonomous driving technologies developed by FABU Technology, which is an artificial intelligence (AI) company focused on intelligent driving systems.
FedEx unveils its autonomous delivery robot; plans to test it this summer
On Wednesday, Feb. 27, FedEx Corp. unveiled its FedEx SameDay Bot, which is an autonomous delivery robot designed to help retailers make same-day and last-mile deliveries to their customers.
According to FedEx, retailers will be able to accept orders from nearby customers and deliver them directly to customers’ homes or businesses the same day using the robot.
FedEx notes that on average, more than 60 percent of merchants’ customers live within three miles of a store location, which shows the potential for on-demand, hyper-local delivery. With this in mind, FedEx has also announced that it is partnering with several companies including AutoZone, Pizza Hut, and Target to help assess retailers’ autonomous delivery needs.
Drone Delivery Canada unveils next generation drone delivery cargo aircraft
Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) has unveiled its Condor UAS, which represents the company’s next generation of drone delivery cargo aircraft.
According to DDC, the Condor “pushes the limits in both cargo capacity and distances,” as it features a payload capacity of 400 pounds, and a potential travel distance of up to 200 kilometers. The Condor is powered by a next generation gas propulsion engine.
Elroy Air optimistic that its autonomous VTOL air cargo system will unlock the logistics potential of the sky
A company called Elroy Air that is developing an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air cargo system has closed a $9.2 million seed round of funding, according to VentureBeat.
The company says that it is developing its autonomous VTOL air cargo system for three primary reasons. First, it believes “access to express shipping improves quality of life and economic opportunities for people, and should be available to everyone.”
Second, it believes that “now is the moment in history when autonomous VTOL aircraft can be developed to expand the reach of air cargo at scale.”