Californian drone developer Matternet and Mercedes-Benz Vans of Stuttgart, Germany, have engaged in a strategic partnership by creating an integrated transport solution reducing greenhouse gas emissions, cutting costs and shorten delivery times of small packages on the last mile.
When it comes to drones, not even the sky is the limit any longer, seen by the project jointly presented by Matternet and Mercedes-Benz Vans today (7 Sep). Oliver Evans, the drone producer’s Head
of Global Business goes as far as speaking of a “groundbreaking initiative and first step in the transformation of urban logistics and delivery.”
Autonomous ops
What’s new is demonstrated in a video on Mercedes-Benz Van’s site. There, (Matternet) drones are departing from the roof of a Mercedes vehicle, carrying light packages to an anonymous client and
landing again on the top of the van when coming back from their delivery point. The unmanned aerial vehicles can carry goods autonomously within a radius of 10 kilometers, transporting up to two
kilograms each time they are deployed. Oliver points out that a beacon has to be installed on top of the vehicles as technical precondition for enabling the drones to use that specific
operational platform.
It was Matternet experts who developed the technology that can be integrated into the roof of the van, allowing for precision landing and automatic payload and battery exchange. For enabling the
uavs to find their way Matternet’s cloud technology is linked with Mercedes-Benz’s van routing software, allowing end-to-end control of the supply chain.
Driven by common visions
“In Mercedes-Benz Vans, we found a partner that is not only synonymous with quality, safety, reliability and efficiency, but is also willing to imagine and create the future of transportation
with us,” said Andreas Raptopoulos, co-founder and CEO of Matternet.
He went on to say: “We are driven by a common vision to automate last-mile logistics, which today is the least efficient and most expensive part of logistics. Through this partnership, we are
building solutions that will dramatically reduce the time and cost of on-demand delivery.”
Precondition of the strategic partnership was the development of Matternet II, the supplier’s second generation drone that can operate completely autonomous, offering a higher payload and greater
travel distance compared to its predecessor Matternet I. It can drop and reload a payload and battery without human interaction, and features a smart payload box that can transmit data about its
contents and destination. It also has precision landing capabilities and captures proof of delivery.
Lauds Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans: “We have been working closely with Matternet to create the world’s first fully connected and automated cargo van with integrated delivery
drones. Matternet is a trusted partner, and we are looking forward to what we can accomplish together.”
B2B applications
Discussions between the collaborating firms are in full swing about feasible modes of application and where to best start joint operations. “We are targeting B2B applications only,” states
Oliver, adding that integrators could become clients as do hospitals, humanitarian organizations and others depending on fast, reliable and cost efficient deliveries.
Certifications from leading aviation authorities around the world, including NASA and the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation exist. Matternet points out that its system is designed to enable
flights over urban, populated areas, not just rural and sub-urban.
Heiner Siegmund
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