…as cargo drone company completes pilot drone logistics project in Michigan

Canadian cargo drone company Drone Delivery Canada is looking to expand its operations into neighbouring USA.

The company has just announced the completion of a pilot project in the state of Michigan, which successfully demonstrated the delivery of medical products and handoff to Caduceus Medical Logistics in Holland, Michigan.

Called the West Michigan Drone Delivery MMFP, DDC carried out the pilot in collaboration with operational partners who included electric vehicle technology company Workhorse Aero, drone integration services provider Airspace Link and Caduceus Medical Logistics, a courier company specialising in the transportation of medical specimens and supplies in the US.

Other partners involved were community stakeholders like the West Michigan Regional Airport, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Michigan office of Future Mobility & Electrification, Next Energy and Lakeshore Advantage.

DDC flew its Sparrow RPA and Workhorse Aero flew its Horsefly RPA to successfully demonstrate the delivery of medical products and handoff to Caduceus Medical Logistics in Holland, Michigan.

“The successful pilot project represents a significant step forward in the integration of drone technology into our daily lives, particularly in the critical field of medical product transportation,” said Steve Magirias, CEO, Drone Delivery Canada.

“We are grateful for the collaboration with our operational and community partners, as well as the support from regulatory bodies, which has made this achievement possible. I also want to commend our DDC operators that received their US Part 107 certification in support of this effort.”

For his organisation’s part, Workhorse CEO Rick Dauch they were happy to contribute on the project, and for the opportunity to demonstrate Workhorse Aero’s capabilities for package delivery in Michigan.

The initiative aimed to demonstrate the efficiency and viability of incorporating drone delivery for medical supplies, showcasing a flight route of 0.67 miles (1.1 km) compared to a 1.2 mile (1.9 km) traditional driving route.

Over two days, the project accomplished a total of 23 deliveries, with all demonstrations adhering to 14CFR Part 107 regulations, ensuring compliance with Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) guidelines for unmanned aerial systems.

Caduceus Medical Logistics tested drone delivery integration capabilities for autonomous and route delivery extension as well as the use of electric vehicles for CO2 emissions reduction.

The operation also leveraged Airspace Link’s AirHub(R) Portal digital infrastructure platform to generate a comprehensive analysis for the ground and air risks existing within the City of Holland and specific area of operations. The digital platform enabled the project team to ensure the safety and efficiency of the drone deliveries.

“Our collaboration showcases Airspace Link’s commitment to revolutionising logistics,” said Michael Healander, Airspace Link President and CEO.

“By pioneering safety-focused digital solutions using AirHub(R) Portal, we’re reshaping how communities access critical supplies, setting the stage for a future where efficiency and accessibility intersect effortlessly into the national airspace.”

The consortium also lauded the state of Michigan for giving a chance for drone technology to take root in the state, saying the West Michigan Drone Delivery MMFP pilot project sets the state for future advancements in autonomous aerial deliveries, emphasizing the potential for increased efficiency, reduced environmental impact and improved accessibility in medical supply chain logistics.

DDC’s drone logistics infrastructure solution has supported governments, commercial and industrial applications (emergency services, medical, last-mile delivery, mining, oil & gas, agriculture, parcel delivery, postal mail, military/security) and remote communities (Indigenous and non-Indigenous).

The solution is a fully integrated logistics platform including industrial-grade drones, automated DroneSpot(TM) depots, automated Battery Management Systems, a detect and avoid radar system, and proprietary FLYTE software to integrate all components into a safe and effective solution.

All flights are monitored from DDC’s Toronto Operations Control Centre, with operators supporting multiple drones at the same time, allowing for a scalable solution, compared to ground drone pilots paired to one drone at a time, as seen with many other drone companies.