Volocopter is preparing to start trial operations for planned cargo deliveries using its autonomous VoloDrone vehicle. Working with its logistics partner and investor, DB Schenker, the German eVTOL aircraft developer intends to evaluate operational aspects of cargo deliveries, including ground services. The trials will start at one of DB Schenker’s facilities in Germany in May.
During a webinar organized by financial media group IPO Edge on March 23, Volocopter CFO Rene Griemens mentioned the plan to begin logistics trials this year, and this was then confirmed in a white paper on urban air mobility that Volocopter published on March 24. Griemens said the use of eVTOL aircraft in the logistics sector has the potential to increase the volume of same-day deliveries of retail products from the current rate of around 5 percent of all shipments now made by Amazon to as much as 50 percent.
