Thu, May 17, 2018
Truck-Launched Autonomous Drone Making Actual Deliveries To Homes
The HorseFly truck-launched Autonomous Drone Package Delivery System is now making real-life package deliveries to homes in the Cincinnati area in a pilot program with the City of Loveland and the FAA. Consumers in select Cincinnati zip codes opted-in to accept packages from Horsefly via the Workhorse Ares Drone Package Delivery App, which is designed to seamlessly integrate with existing online e-commerce platforms.
The unique, patented HorseFly system complies with current FAA safety regulations for drone package delivery. Currently, each package is delivered within the delivery driver's line of sight. Data from the pilot will provide essential insights into consumer preferences, as well as real-world evidence to support expanded use cases with the FAA. To date, the system has been successfully tested with UPS and an undisclosed large retailer, and aims to provide significant cost savings by eliminating extra miles of driving to deliver packages.
"We feel this is a game-changing moment to innovate the way packages are delivered for many years to come," said Steve Burns, Workhorse CEO. "By not only reducing the expense of last mile delivery, but also providing the consumer with the ability to opt-in, visualize, and confirm their package delivery on their property, we have re-imagined home delivery."
The HorseFly UAV Delivery System is a custom-built, high efficiency delivery UAV that is fully integrated with the Workhorse line of electric delivery trucks. The HorseFly system is designed to work with drivers to increase their efficiency and significantly lower the expense of last mile delivery.
The truck launched drone system is designed to assist a driver as follows:
- The truck delivery driver loads the package and launches the HorseFly drone
- The HorseFly drone autonomously launches from the roof of the delivery truck, gains altitude and proceeds to the delivery location, monitoring by a centralized Horsefly control center. The consumer can also monitor the progress of their package delivery through their downloaded app
- At the delivery location, which the consumer can choose on the app by touching the point on a map, the drone autonomously descends and the package is released. The consumer can opt-in to receive a photograph and confirmation of their delivery.
- The HorseFly drone returns to the delivery truck at a planned stop and autonomously redocks and recharges for its next delivery
(Source: Workhorse news release. Image from file)
More News
Hazardous Weather Information Summary of significant meteorological information (SIGMET/WS), convective significant meteorological information (convective SIGMET/WST), urgent pilot>[...]
Aero Linx: The T-6 Racing Association The T-6 Racing Association is all about T-6‘s and racing. Our mission is to bring great racing to our fans in Reno and other venues wher>[...]
Also: Electra Aero, AMO-CBP v Smugglers, Naval King Airs, Boeing Deal To the surprise of everyone involved, Waco Kitchen shut down both airport operations with little warning and h>[...]
Also: WACO Kitchen Bails, French SportPlane Mfr to FL, Dynon-Advance Flight Systems, Innovation Preview Bobby Bailey, a bit of a fixture in sport aviation circles for his work with>[...]
Also: Virgin Galactic, B-29 Doc to Allentown, Erickson Fire-Fighters Bought, FAA Reauthorization After dealing with a big letdown after the unexpected decision by Skyreach to disco>[...]