FedEx to test autonomous drone cargo delivery with Elroy Air, with mid-mile flights to start from next year
FedEx and Elroy Air are to test launch autonomous drone cargo delivery flights for middle-mile delivery in 2023, using Elroy’s Chaparral autonomous air cargo system to move shipments between sortation locations.
FedEx says the exponential growth of e‑commerce has accelerated the demand for reliable, efficient transportation and logistics solutions throughout all stages of the supply chain.
Joe Stephens, senior vice president, global planning, engineering and technology, FedEx Express, said: “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. We look forward to continued testing and learning throughout our collaboration with Elroy Air.”
Elroy Air announced its Chaparral autonomous aircraft in January, an eVTOL aerial cargo system that can autonomously pick up to 500 pounds of cargo and deliver it by air up to 300 miles. The Chaparral is capable of longer-range flights without the need for additional infrastructure, such as airports or charging stations.
Kofi Asante, Elroy Air’s VP of Business Development and Strategy, said: “We are proud to work with FedEx to build the next generation of express logistics. When you’re not limited by challenging infrastructure, traffic, or airports, logistics can reach more people, faster than ever before. We look forward to working together to create a new future for how we get goods to people around the world.”
FedEx and Elroy Air have been working together since January 2020 and will continue their collaboration to pursue certifications and begin flight testing in 2023.
In November 2021, Elroy Air partnered with AYR Logistics to develop an autonomous aerial cargo delivery service for humanitarian use.
The announcement was made at the Dubai Air Show and includes the commitment by AYR to purchase up to 100 Chaparral aircraft to expand its humanitarian logistics business.
Chaparral is a transitioning ‘Lift + Cruise’ VTOL aircraft with separate vertical and cruise flight lift fans and a hybrid-electric powertrain for long-range mission capabilities.
Elroy Air has developed lightweight, aerodynamic modular cargo pods that can be pre-loaded by ground personnel and picked up by the aircraft before takeoff. At the delivery location, the cargo pod is lowered to the ground and released after the system has landed.
The Chaparral system can retrieve another pre-packed pod and transport the pod to its next destination, creating a bi-directional conveyor belt through the sky.