Innovative cargo van in development

Warehouses require several types of equipment to function efficiently, like packing tables, picking, trolleys, shelving systems and vans for delivery to the customer.

Grasshopper Air Mobility is a Barcelona startup, which aims to revolutionise the delivery process with a new model described as a “flying cargo van”. This innovative vehicle is expected to undergo trials by 2028.

The e350 will fly with up to 350g of cargo and then land near its destination, where its wings will fold before autonomously driving to complete its journey.

Grasshopper Air Mobility envisions that the main use of the air cargo van will be to deliver time-sensitive medical supplies that require transport in a temperature-controlled vehicle.

A major challenge to using the e350 and other drone delivery solutions in the UK is the regulations and air traffic management systems that may be unable to cope with mass pilotless aerial delivery vehicles.

Drone ports will therefore need to be integrated into logistic hubs. Another issue is noise pollution; the e350, however, uses quiet ducted fans operated with electric or hybrid motors that reduce noise.

CEO of Grasshopper Air Mobility, Jakob Saalfrank, has commented:

“The collaboration between governments, logistics providers and technology developers is key to ensuring a smooth transition toward integrating drones into the mainstream logistics ecosystem”.

Automated drones like the e350 could assist with reducing error from delivery logistics, providing a faster service not dependent on road traffic conditions. This is just one example of how the logistics industry is looking ahead, which can lend itself to warehouses and how they may operate in future.

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