FedEx Corp. has just announced a partnership with Elroy Air, through its FedEx Express subsidiary, to work together to implement a cargo delivery system using autonomous electric vertical take-off and landing – eVTOL – vehicles.
Elroy Air is a U.S.-based startup that is developing the Chaparral cargo drone, which has eight rotors that lift the aircraft vertically and four others that propel it forward, all powered by batteries. In addition, it has an onboard gas turbine generator that provides electricity to recharge the batteries.
As reported by FedEx Express, under the agreement, the logistics company “will develop plans to test Elroy Air’s Chaparral autonomous air cargo system within half-mile logistics operations, moving shipments between sortation locations. This is FedEx’s latest initiative in its effort to explore and adopt emerging technologies in its networks.”
Joe Stephens, senior vice president of global planning, engineering and technology for FedEx Express, said, “FedEx is all about innovation and we are always looking for new technologies to help improve the logistics industry through better safety, efficiency and customer service.”
For his part, Kofi Asante, vice president of business development and strategy at Elroy Air, said, “We are proud to work with FedEx to build the next generation of express logistics (…) When not constrained 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 products to people around the world.”
The Chaparral, which was unveiled by Elroy Air in January 2022, can autonomously pick up 300-500 pounds of cargo (130-200 kg) and move it up to 300 miles (480 km) away for delivery. The aircraft is capable of longer range flights without the need for additional infrastructure, such as airports or cargo stations.
