Mercedes-Benz has its eyes on drone delivery. The automaker announced today a “multi-million dollar” partnership with drone startup Matternet. The startup has developed autonomous drone logistics systems to serve for the future of delivery, and unveiled today its second generation of drones, Matternet M2. Mercedes-Benz and Matternet have teamed up to create “an integrated delivery solution that will transform how people receive lightweight goods.”
Transforming the Mercedes-Benz van into a drone mothership known formally as the Vision Van, the automaker plans to integrate Matternet’s drones into their vans for last-mile delivery. Unlike Amazon, which goes from warehouse to consumer, last-mile delivery focuses on shipping goods within close proximity of the consumer. The souped up van will feature a fully automated cargo system and Matternet delivery drones. Matternet’s drones will fit atop the Mercedes-Benz van, making for easy landing and payload and battery exchange.
“We are driven by a common vision to automate last-mile logistics, which today is the least efficient and most expensive part of logistics. Through this partnership, we are building solutions that will dramatically reduce the time and cost of on-demand delivery,” stated Andreas Raptopoulos, co-founder and CEO of Matterne, in a press release.
Matternet’s proprietary drone, M2, is designed for completely automated delivery. The sleek quadcopter can transport up to 4.4 pounds of goods for 12 miles on a single charge. Coupled with the Vision Van, M2 can drop and reload a payload automatically. It’s equipped with a “smart” payload box that can transmit data about contents and destination; all while capturing proof of delivery when the goods have landed.
For bonus safety, Matternet M2 features a fail-safe parachute that deploys if needed. It’ll also stay within 16 feet of its authorized flight path.
Matternet hasn’t detailed any timelines for the deployment of its delivery drones, but Mercedes-Benz head of Vision Van, Volker Mornhinweg, says they “have been working closely with Matternet to create the world’s first fully connected and automated cargo van with integrated delivery drones. Matternet is a trusted partner, and we are looking forward to what we can accomplish together.”
Source: Matternet Image: Matternet
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