FutureFlight
Volocopter and Near Earth Join Forces to Develop Autonomous System For VoloDrone
Near Earth Autonomy will combine its hardware with Volocopter's software to develop the autonomous flight system for the unmanned VoloDrone's freight operations.
VoloDrone
Volocopter's VoloDrone chief engineer Christophe Hommet says Near Earth Autonomy's hardware will be integrated with his company's autonomous flight software to support unmanned freight-carrying operations. (Photo: Volocopter)

Volocopter is partnering with Near Earth Autonomy to complete the development of autonomous flight technology for its unmanned VoloDrone freight-carrying eVTOL aircraft. Pittsburgh-based Near Earth will provide hardware that will be integrated and tested with autonomous flight control software being developed by Volocopter.

The companies plan to demonstrate the systems in a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight demonstration to be conducted during 2022 in Munich, close to where Volocopter is based. In a May 27 announcement, they said that the joint project will aim to establish standardized BVLOS missions for the VoloDrone in providing business-to-business transportation services.