Important Innovations

  Autonomous Cargo Delivery System                                                  Source:  MightyFly Faster, Cheaper, Carbon Neutral San Francisco Bay Area based MightyFly is on the cusp of revolutionizing logistics with its autonomous eVTOL.  Here are the pertinent facts: Patent-pending, autonomous cargo delivery eVTOL for rapid, cheaper and faster same day, door-to-door logistics Range of 600 miles, top speed of 150 mph and cargo capacity up to 500 pounds Flies 3-times faster than the highway speed of the average delivery van Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (VTOL) that is carbon neutral Just received FAA Certificate of Authorization for long range flight testing Will begin testing its last mile and middle mile logistical services Just unveiled its 2nd generation eVTOL aircraft, MightyFly Cento Cento has a unique hybrid-electric powertrain with an internal combustion engine that recharges Cento's batteries while flying which enables multiple, consecutive deliveries  Cento

  Pilot Programs Starting in Houston                                                  Source:  Nuro Race to Cut Package Delivery Costs by Robotics FedEx and robotics/autonomous delivery startup Nuro of Silicon Valley, CA just announced a multi-year deal to test autonomous delivery vehicles for the FedEx delivery network.  The pilot program will start in Houston, where Nuro's low speed, unmanned R2 vehicles are already making deliveries for Domino Pizza and Kroger supermarkets.  FedEx says it will start sending vehicles for late night pickups in remote areas.  The aim of the partnership is to test and deploy Nuro's next generation autonomous delivery vehicles on a large scale basis.  The next G Nuro is all electric, low speed and self-driving with no space for humans only cargo. Race to Cut Costs Parcel delivery companies are racing to find ways to cut the cost of package deliveries.  UPS is experimenting with drone deliveries.  Freight and logistics companies are experimenting

  Pilot Programs Starting in Houston                                                  Sources:  Nuro & FedEx Race to Cut Package Delivery Costs by Robotics FedEx and robotics/autonomous delivery startup Nuro of Silicon Valley, CA just announced a multi-year deal to test autonomous delivery vehicles for the FedEx delivery network.  The pilot program will start in Houston, where Nuro's low speed, unmanned R2 vehicles are already making deliveries for Domino Pizza and Kroger supermarkets.  FedEx says it will start sending vehicles for late night pickups in remote areas.  The aim of the partnership is to test and deploy Nuro's next generation autonomous delivery vehicles on a large scale basis.  The next G Nuro is all electric, low speed and self-driving with no space for humans only cargo. Race to Cut Costs Parcel delivery companies are racing to find ways to cut the cost of package deliveries.  UPS is experimenting with drone deliveries.  Freight and logistics companies are e

  Beta Technologies' Electric Aircraft                                             Source:  Beta Technologies Speedy Package Deliveries   UPS just announced that it will start package deliveries by electric planes  - specifically e-VTOLs or electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles.  UPS has agreed to buy ten e-VTOLs, called ALIA-250, from Vermont based startup Beta Technologies.  UPS has the option to buy another 150 aircraft from the company.  The new form of transportation is designed to accelerate deliveries in small market areas. Designed to Be Autonomous Beta Technologies e-VTOLs are highly advanced.  The ALIA-250, inspired by the Arctic tern, takes off and lands vertically and then transitions into long range flight. The electric vehicles have a range of 250 miles and a cruising speed of 170 mph. They are designed to operate autonomously when the regulatory environment permits.  The electric aircraft have a cargo capacity of 1400 pounds. The wingspan is 50 feet and the

Package Deliveries and Surveillance Source:  Amazon US Patent for the Technology Amazon has found yet another way to make potentially significant money.  It's just secured a patent to utilize its package delivery drones for security surveillance for its customers. Geofencing According to the patent, the surveillance would be limited by geofencing.  That's a technology which draws a virtual line around a property under surveillance.  According to the patent, the drone would record video of the customer's house at the customer's request for security.  The drone would pick up such issues as a broken window or open garage door. Drones Ready for Takeoff In the next few months, Amazon's fleet of delivery drones will start flying purchases to customers starting at a distance of 30 minutes or less.  Interestingly, Amazon filed for the patent to enable drone surveillance in 2015 and just received the patent this month.  No word on if or when Amazon will offer