American drone mailbox pioneer Valqari has acquired IDU Group, a UK-based start-up that develops smart integrated infrastructure necessary for autonomous drone docking and delivery.

In a statement, Valqari said the merger will provide “a complete drone delivery infrastructure from rooftops and the windows of buildings to a complete product line of drone mailbox and drone locker ground stations.

Chicago-based Valqari is the developer of the Drone Delivery Station, a last-inch drone docking port that – along with other products – provides an entirely automated drone delivery system covering hardware, software, and communication technology required for the entire system to work effortlessly.

In the UK, the IDU Group was involved in something similar; its mission to solve the last link in UAV logistics by creating the smart integrated infrastructure necessary for autonomous docking and delivery handoff that’s critical for unlocking scalable drone delivery.

With 28 patents in 16 countries, Valqari’s Delivery Station is a universal drone receptacle for package delivery and pick-up, working with nearly any drone model.

IDU’s urban design systems combine mechanical engineering and edge computing solutions. Their products include the SmartBox along with several other unreleased models of infrastructure that will be the pillars of future autonomous operations.

In the new merger, the company will be known as Valqari, and Ryan Walsh will continue as CEO, while Kevin Duckers, founder and former CEO of IDU Group, will act as Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Valqari.

The addition of IDU’s team, intellectual property, and technology will allow Valqari to continue along its path to revolutionise drone deliveries for industries including pharmaceuticals, meal delivery, grocery services, governments, and residential e-commerce by adding even more comprehensive solutions to their growing customer base.

Having forged a strong relationship in the past, the two companies hope the merger will strengthen their resolve to provide next generation drone infrastructure in high-growth industries across multiple countries.

Currently, Valqari had operations in North America, the South Pacific and Europe; the company says the merger with IDU will see them spread their influence to the Middle East and Africa.

“Adding IDU’s impressive and extensive team and technology gives us an even stronger platform to offer our customers,” said Ryan Walsh, CEO and Founder of Valqari. “Our vision is to provide customers with the solution that best fits their needs, all on one interconnected platform for ease of use by the various drone operators.

“We will be working tirelessly to provide the next generation of drone infrastructure using the best of both of our technologies under the Valqari flag, offering customers Valqari’s current line of Drone Delivery Stations and Drone Mailboxes, as well as incorporating SmartBox into our product portfolio.”

“By joining Valqari, we will be able to establish the next generation of drone infrastructure and offer our clients, investors, and stakeholders a bigger, better and more diverse range of innovative products,” said Kevin Duckers, CEO of IDU Group. “Valqari has been and will continue to be the market leader in this space, and we are excited to merge our efforts under such a strong brand with an extensive patent portfolio.”

Valqari hopes to increase productivity and connectivity between customers, citizens, and services in cities while simultaneously reducing the carbon footprint.