Heavy-Lift UAV Makes All-Electric Delivery

German company VoloCopter has carried out its first successful test flight for the new VoloDrone, their upcoming heavy-lift UAV.

The 3-minute test flight reached an altitude of 72 feet while carrying a Euro-pallet sized lest load. The aircraft delivered its payload to a DB Schenker Cargo Bike that completed ground delivery to its final destination.

The test proves the concept of a multimodel, all-electric delivery system, albeit on a much smaller scale than real-world distances.  The joint effort with Schenker is part of a recent blueprint for alternative routes of delivery in global logistics operations.  VoloCopter believes that new developments in transportation don't need to follow the same chain of custody that previous systems use.  Instead, their heavy lifters can skip entire sections of the process through direct air travel, sending cargo above, around, and past supply route disruptions or blockages on the ground.  Recent woes experienced in American ports would be an excellent opportunity for the system, a dream fulfilled for harried port managers. 

The VoloDrone is designed to be fully autonomous and beyond-visual line of sight capable, while carrying a range of ISO pallet sizes with weights up to 440 pounds over 20 nautical miles. With the en-vogue eVTOL capability that many competing designs boast, they have sought to develop a complete infrastructure to offer in hopes of distinguishing the aircraft from the rest. Set to launch in the next 3 years, VoloPorts are the necessary physical accessories, support equipment, and supplies, alongside the digital support services, VoloIQ. VoloIQ is expected to include Approved Maintenance Organization, Continuing Airworthiness Management, flight analytics, vehicle connectivity, and autonomous operations at launch, with more capabilities added over time. 

Florian Reuter, CEO, said “This first public VoloDrone flight is a strong sign for Volocopter´s leading position in the UAM industry. We are the only UAM company offering solutions for passengers and goods that are flying fully scaled and publicly around the world. Our VoloDrone will make existing logistics processes more robust, efficient, and sustainable. DB Schenker is an invaluable partner in our endeavor to untap the massive potential of our VoloDrone’s logistics use cases.”

FMI: www.volocopter.com