Latest news with #autonomousLogistics
Tahawul Tech
7 days ago
- Business
- Tahawul Tech
Drone deliveries to see trial use in Abu Dhabi
The UAE took its first steps into autonomous aerial logistics, as several groups pool resources to trial drone deliveries and advance ambitions around smart mobility services. Aviation technology provider Lodd Autonomous and public postal company 7X stated the drone delivery pilot held in capital city Abu Dhabi is a significant advance for the nation's logistics sector. 'Autonomous drones introduce a transformative layer to urban delivery networks', Lodd Autonomous CEO Rashid Al Manai explained. The trial opens the potential for a single operator to 'manage multiple deliveries simultaneously', Al Manai said, highlighting the 'new level of scalability and responsiveness' the step would bring to the logistics sector. Lodd Autonomous and 7X worked with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office on the trial, advancing targets of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council involving integrated mobility set-ups. The trial also required collaboration with the General Civil Aviation Authority and Integrated Transport Centre. Humaid Saber Al Hameli, director of the centre's aviation transport division, explained airspace security and safety are priorities, with work ongoing to ensure regulations keep pace with developments in the unmanned aerial systems space. Lodd Autonomous and 7X pledged to maintain collaborations with regulators and industry players as drone delivery projects advance. Ultimately, Abu Dhabi aims to rely more heavily on drone-based deliveries in its wider logistics set-ups: it committed to keep progressing regulations and focus on infrastructure developments as it seeks to lead regional development of autonomous air mobility systems. Source: Mobile World Live Image Credit: Stock Image
Khaleej Times
25-06-2025
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Abu Dhabi conducts first drone parcel delivery in trial project
A drone has successfully delivered a parcel in Abu Dhabi for the first time using a winch-based system — as part of a pilot project to accelerate smart and autonomous logistics across the emirate. The landmark trial in Khalifa City integrates unmanned aerial systems into Abu Dhabi's transport ecosystem. The drone delivered a simulated package from a local post office to a drop zone demonstrating the feasibility of urban autonomous aerial delivery. The operation was backed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO), and conducted by aviation technology firm LODD and logistics holding group 7X. 'Ensuring the safety and security of our airspace remains a top priority,' said Humaid Saber Al Hameli, Director of the Aviation Transport Division at the Integrated Transport Centre. 'This pilot trial reflects the strength of collaboration between the public and private sectors, and represents a concrete step toward the future of smart aerial mobility in the emirate.' The initiative is part of the emirate's broader strategy to enable smart mobility under the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council (SASC), with support from ADIO's Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Industry (SAVI) cluster. Regulatory oversight for the test was provided by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) and the Integrated Transport Centre. Omran Malek, Head of the SAVI Cluster at ADIO, said the pilot demonstrated the type of forward-thinking strategies that add long-term economic and infrastructure value to Abu Dhabi. 'ADIO is proud to champion the development and rollout of cutting-edge logistics technologies that strengthen Abu Dhabi's position as a global innovation hub,' he said. The pilot reflects growing efforts to localise advanced technology development and reinforce Abu Dhabi's role as a leader in future infrastructure. LODD and 7X say they will continue to work with regulators to fine-tune operational procedures and prepare for wider rollout of drone-based logistics services. 'Autonomous drones introduce a transformative layer to urban delivery networks,' said Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD. 'With one operator able to manage multiple deliveries simultaneously, the system brings a new level of scalability and responsiveness to the logistics chain.' Similarly, Tariq Al Wahedi, Group CEO of 7X, which oversees delivery provider EMX, said the milestone supports the UAE's smart mobility goals. 'By integrating autonomous aerial technology into EMX's national logistics ecosystem, we are enhancing operational reach and speed, and building a more adaptive, future-ready network.' The test flight is the first phase in a broader plan to deploy drone delivery across Abu Dhabi, aligning with regulatory efforts and infrastructure readiness to position the emirate as a regional hub for autonomous air mobility.
Irish Times
12-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish-based company revolutionising rural deliveries with drones and robotic hubs
Etienne Louvet is the founder of Iona, a B2B company developing a high-tech delivery network that combines autonomous systems, robotics and drones to solve the problem of scattered delivery destinations and high-cost last-mile deliveries. Last-mile deliveries are often the most expensive part of any delivery service and a big overhead for logistics companies using conventional transport. Vans make sense for heavier loads taking direct routes. Drones make sense for lighter loads going to awkward or more remote places, and the Iona platform allows companies to integrate drone delivery into their existing fleets, thereby cutting costs, improving efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and gaining easier access to isolated and rural areas. The idea for Iona began to form in Louvet's mind during Covid when he was working on a paper about new delivery methods for autonomous logistics. What pushed him in the direction of drones, however, was seeing his 92-year-old grandmother struggling to get groceries and medication delivered to her home in rural France as the pandemic dragged on. 'Access to delivery is particularly crucial for rural residents and they need to be offered the same delivery price and the same goods as anyone else,' Louvet says. 'With Iona, logistics providers can turn last-mile into the most profitable segment while also expanding their capacity to offer additional services such as just-in-time and emergency deliveries.' READ MORE Louvet set up his company in London in 2021 but relocated to Ireland last year to overcome a number of challenges holding up its development including customs issues caused by Brexit and a desire to be closer to potential EU deeptech VCs, which are thin on the ground. Iona is based in Shannon with a berth at Dogpatch Labs in Dublin. The company employs 14 people. Investment to date is around €5 million, mainly from angel investors, and the company has been designated as a HPSU (high performance start-up) by Enterprise Ireland . Iona will make its money by charging customers a percentage on delivery revenues. Potential customers are logistics/delivery companies such as An Post or DHL and the Iona platform will travel internationally. One of the key features that differentiates Iona within its segment is its drones' ability to carry larger loads over longer distances – specifically, cargo of up to 20kg for distances of 100-200km. The company's patented Sonnet Quad drone (which Louvet says is a lot quieter than the short-hop delivery drones currently causing controversy in Dublin) features a tilt rotor for vertical take-off and landing and forward flight for hyper-efficiency. The unit itself is powered by batteries similar to those found on an e-bike and the highly specialised air frame is made in Galway. Iona's back office set-up comprises a robotics system that works in tandem with a series of strategically placed hubs to facilitate battery swaps and parcel dispatch, and an AI-powered digital infrastructure that underpins interactions with telecoms and fleet management systems, for example. 'We combine all of these elements into a white-label solution that will work for any delivery operator large or small. Indeed, companies can start with just one drone. We offer a very low break-even point per parcel so they can deliver anywhere and to everyone,' says Louvet, who adds that Sonnet Quad is uniquely optimised for rural last-mile logistics with a modular cargo bay and precise flight dynamics features that make it more efficient and adaptable than existing medical drones, suburban multi-copters or heavy-lifter unmanned aerial vehicles. Iona expects to go public with its technology in 2026 and as its drones will operate in Irish airspace they must meet the necessary safety and operational regulations. For this reason the drones are ultimately under the control of Iona as the certified operator. 'Flying autonomously and profitably in unsegregated airspace requires stringent regulatory approval, and our end-to-end platform is built around these requirements, allowing third party logistics operators to operate at scale confidently and cost-effectively,' Louvet says.
