FedEx teams up with Elroy Air to test autonomous drone delivery

The biggest express delivery business in the world, FedEx, is collaborating with Elroy Air, located in the Bay Area, to create the first end-to-end autonomous vertical take-off and landing () drone delivery system.

FedEx Express will create plans to test Elroy Air’s Chaparral autonomous drone delivery system inside the company’s middle-mile logistics operations, transferring items between sortation facilities in a first-of-its-kind deal in the U.S.

This is FedEx’s most recent endeavor to research and integrate new technologies throughout its networks.

The need for dependable, effective transportation and logistics solutions across all phases of the supply chain has increased due to the exponential expansion of e-commerce.

In order to better the safety, effectiveness, and productivity of its 600,000 team members while still advancing the globe, FedEx thinks that innovation and automation must continue.

Fedex was built on innovation

“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,” said Joe Stephens, senior vice president, global planning, engineering, and technology at FedEx Express. “We look forward to continued testing and learning throughout our collaboration with Elroy Air.”

In January 2022, Elroy Air made a statement about their iconic Chaparral autonomous aircraft. An airborne transport system known as the Chaparral aircraft can autonomously take up 300–500 pounds of goods and fly it up to 300 kilometers. Without the need for additional infrastructure, like as airports or charging stations, the Chaparral can fly further distances.

“We are proud to work with FedEx to build the next generation of express logistics,” said Kofi Asante, Elroy Air’s VP of Business Development and Strategy. “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.”

Since January 2020, FedEx and Elroy Air have been collaborating, and they will keep doing so while they chase certifications and start conducting flying tests in 2023.

Fedex Teams Up With Elroy Air To Test Autonomous Drone Delivery 1

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Haye Kesteloo
Haye Kesteloo

Haye Kesteloo is a leading drone industry expert and Editor in Chief of DroneXL.co and EVXL.co, where he covers drone technology, industry developments, and electric mobility trends. With over nine years of specialized coverage in unmanned aerial systems, his insights have been featured in The New York Times, The Financial Times, and cited by The Brookings Institute, Foreign Policy, Politico and others.

Before founding DroneXL.co, Kesteloo built his expertise at DroneDJ. He currently co-hosts the PiXL Drone Show on YouTube and podcast platforms, sharing industry insights with a global audience. His reporting has influenced policy discussions and been referenced in federal documents, establishing him as an authoritative voice in drone technology and regulation. He can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.

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