Photo: Wingcopter
LieferMichel is the name of the first drone delivery service for groceries in Germany, which recently kicked off in Michelstadt, Hesse. Wingcopter drones and locally-made electric cargo bikes will work together to test this alternative, eco-friendly way of delivering food supplies to locals in remote districts.
Wingcopter, the developer of an advanced drone with the same name, is at the center of what claims to be the first of its kind delivery project in Germany. This pilot project will first unfold in Rehbach and Würzberg, two locations that are well outside Michelstadt, Hesse. People in these areas have had to deal with many of the local shops closing off, which meant they would sometimes have to drive more than six miles (10 km) just for basic groceries.
With this new delivery service, they could get everyday goods delivered to them fast and efficiently. This is how things will work: customers will place orders on a dedicated platform, and then Wingcopter drones will fly out these orders to specific landing spots outside the villages. For the final step, cargo bikes will deliver the orders to each individual home.
Other than speed and convenience, this alternative process has obvious environmental benefits. Both the drones and the cargo bikes are fully electric, meaning they'll operate with no emissions. The bikes are made by Riese & Müller, a manufacturer based in the Odenwald region. Vodafone is another important partner in the project, the one that ensures a stable connection between the drones and the ground control station.
The Wingcopter drone promises a top speed of 90 mph (144 kph). In terms of altitude, it can reach 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). The initial version offered a range of 46 miles (75 km) on a single charge, coupled with a maximum payload of 11 pounds (5 kg). However, the range could increase up to 60 miles (95 km) by dropping the payload to just 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
Most importantly, the Wingcopter drone demonstrated its unique ability to make three separate deliveries to various locations on a single charge. It even claims to be the only triple-drop all-electric drone in the world. This triple-drop system has the potential to make future deliveries much more effective without requiring more energy.
The German manufacturer won't stop there. Earlier this year, it unveiled plans to make its delivery drone even more potent by adding fuel cell technology. It's currently working with the ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research Center on a dedicated fuel cell system that would be based on compressed gaseous hydrogen.
In the meantime, its primary focus is the pioneering delivery project in Michelstadt. The project is supported by local authorities and was funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV).
With this new delivery service, they could get everyday goods delivered to them fast and efficiently. This is how things will work: customers will place orders on a dedicated platform, and then Wingcopter drones will fly out these orders to specific landing spots outside the villages. For the final step, cargo bikes will deliver the orders to each individual home.
Other than speed and convenience, this alternative process has obvious environmental benefits. Both the drones and the cargo bikes are fully electric, meaning they'll operate with no emissions. The bikes are made by Riese & Müller, a manufacturer based in the Odenwald region. Vodafone is another important partner in the project, the one that ensures a stable connection between the drones and the ground control station.
The Wingcopter drone promises a top speed of 90 mph (144 kph). In terms of altitude, it can reach 16,400 feet (5,000 meters). The initial version offered a range of 46 miles (75 km) on a single charge, coupled with a maximum payload of 11 pounds (5 kg). However, the range could increase up to 60 miles (95 km) by dropping the payload to just 2.2 pounds (1 kg).
Most importantly, the Wingcopter drone demonstrated its unique ability to make three separate deliveries to various locations on a single charge. It even claims to be the only triple-drop all-electric drone in the world. This triple-drop system has the potential to make future deliveries much more effective without requiring more energy.
The German manufacturer won't stop there. Earlier this year, it unveiled plans to make its delivery drone even more potent by adding fuel cell technology. It's currently working with the ZAL Center of Applied Aeronautical Research Center on a dedicated fuel cell system that would be based on compressed gaseous hydrogen.
In the meantime, its primary focus is the pioneering delivery project in Michelstadt. The project is supported by local authorities and was funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV).
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