UPS has successfully tested a drone that launches from the top of one of its brown vans, autonomously delivers packages and then returns to the vehicle while the van moves on to the next delivery. The drone delivery took place this Monday in Lithia, Florida.
\nThe test was conducted in collaboration with drone manufacturing company Workhorse Group, an Ohio-based developer of battery-powered electric trucks and drones, which claims its product can complete last-mile deliveries for mere cents per mile. With 66,000 delivery drivers on the road each day, UPS says that a reduction of just one mile per driver, per day, would save the company up to US$50 million per year.
\nA UPS delivery worker loads the drone from below prior to takeoff
\n\u201cThis test is different than anything we\u2019ve done with drones so far. It has implications for future deliveries, especially in rural locations, where our package cars often have to travel miles to make a single delivery,\u201d said Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president of global engineering and sustainability.
\nWallace explained that the deliveries could be operated along a \u201ctriangular delivery route, where the stops are miles apart by road.\u201d Drone deliveries would allow drivers to avoid driving up to individual drop-off points, thus reducing miles driven. \u201cThis is a big step toward bolstering efficiency in our network and reducing our emissions at the same time,\u201d he said.
\nIn this week\u2019s test, the drone made one delivery while the driver continued down the road to make another. UPS said it hopes the drones will move into this capacity, however, current FAA restrictions to \u201cline-of-sight\u201d operation of drones still hamper the sort of autonomy that these deliveries require.
\nThe delivery operated as follows: A cage suspended under the drone lowers into the truck, where a UPS driver loads a package. Once secured, the drone starts on a preset autonomous route to the delivery address. Following delivery, the drone navigates back to the truck, which has moved on to the next delivery in the interim.
\nThe battery-powered HorseFly drone recharges while docked. It has a 30-minute-maximum flight time and can carry a package weighing up to 10 pounds.
\nIn the future, routes could be determined by UPS\u2019 On-Road Integrated Optimization and Navigation (ORION), the company\u2019s proprietary routing software, rather than being programmed in advance, as was the case during this week\u2019s tests.
\nLast year, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued small unmanned aircraft systems rules that allow for some commercial use of drones and paved the way for future expanded applications. UPS was one of 35 selected from a cross-section of key stakeholders to serve on the FAA\u2019s drone advisory committee. The committee will provide the FAA recommendations on key drone integration issues that will ultimately allow for safe and secure operations of drones within the National Air Space System.
\nBelow is a brief video of yesterday\u2019s test:<\/p>\n
Those interested in learning more about air freight in 2017, should join us at Cargo Facts Asia in Shanghai, 25 \u2013 26 April. \u00a0To register, or for more information, go to\u00a0CargoFactsAsia.com
\nSource: aircargoworld<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"