FedEx To Trial Autonomous Drone Cargo Deliveries Starting Next Year
Beginning next year, FedEx will be trialing autonomous cargo drone deliveries in collaboration with Elroy Air, a startup that creates hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing planes (eVTOLs).
As eVTOLs do not require runways for takeoff and landing like normal aircraft do, they’re a convenient way to transport deliveries via the air without additions to infrastructure such as airports.
According to the company, the drone will be able to pick up 300 to 500 pounds of cargo all on its own, and can travel up to 300 miles on a single trip.
Unfortunately, if you were looking forward to receiving your package from an autonomous drone instead of having to deal with delivery personnel, it seems the aircraft won’t be making door-to-door drop-offs just yet.
The firm said it will be using the aircraft for middle-mile logistics, most likely tasking it with moving shipments between sorting locations at the firm’s facility in the Bay Area.
“FedEx was built on innovation and we are always looking toward new technologies to help enhance the logistics industry through improved safety, efficiency, and customer service,” said Joe Stephens, Senior Vice President of Global Planning, Engineering, and Technology.
“We look forward to continued testing and learning throughout our collaboration with Elroy Air,” he added.
