Wingcopter will provide 12,000 delivery drones for Africa’s transportation network
The German company Wingcopter will supply 12,000 delivery drones for a drone-based transport network in Africa. To this end, the company has entered into a partnership with Continental Drones. Over the next five years, the drones will be deployed in 49 Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest commercial drone delivery project in the world to date.
Improve livelihood with 12,000 Wingcopter delivery drones
In many African regions, poor infrastructure is one of the biggest barriers to universal health care and economic development. Drones can offer a solution: according to Wingcopter, transporting goods by air is faster, cheaper, and more efficient than transporting them over the ground. Moreover, drone delivery is better for the environment, because the drones fly electrically.
The technology of Wingcopter will be used to improve the lives of millions of Africans. For example, it will be used to deliver medicines, vaccines, or lab samples on demand, as well as deliver everyday goods. People also think that the delivery drones will help the economy by making connections between communities better and by creating thousands of new jobs to run the delivery networks.
12,000 Wingcopter 198 delivery drones
A total of 12,000 Wingcopter 198 delivery drones will be delivered over the course of 5 years. This drone is fully electrically powered and is capable of transporting payloads of up to 6 kg over distances of up to 110 km. The cruising speed is 100 km/h. The drone can be deployed up to wind force 7. Communication is via mobile data networks or a satellite connection. By means of a winch, the drone can safely deliver goods to the ground. The aircraft can deliver three loads per flight.
Drone delivery is not a new phenomenon in Africa. For example, Zipline's drones have been extensively used in recent years for the transport of donated blood, medication, and COVID-19 vaccines during the corona crisis. However, in Africa, Zipline currently only operates in Rwanda and Ghana, where Wingcopter and Continental Drones Ltd. have rolled-out in dozens of African countries.
Offshore drone delivery
Wingcopter recently announced a partnership with German Airways for an offshore drone delivery project. This collaboration includes the delivery of a total of 132 drones, which will be used for the delivery of offshore wind farms.
This article first appeared on Dronewatch and is written by Wiebe de Jager who is also a DroneXL contributor.
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