The drone logistics market has evolved from an illusion to a mainstream logistics sector over the past decade. Research says that the drone logistics and transportation market is estimated to be valued at USD 11.20 Billion in 2022.
There are many key players who are setting up their presence in the drone logistics market and Drone Delivery Canada has established themselves as one of the top drone companies in this space.
Freightcomms interviewed Drone Delivery Canada CEO Michael Zahra to learn about drone logistics and its importance in Covid-19.
“Drone Delivery Canada started its journey about six years ago and the company was initially focused on developing the technology. The primary focus was to start the business for remote communities. Drone Delivery Canada got an approval from the regulators Transport Canada and entered into the commercial business”, said Michael Zahra
With the current disruption of Covid-19 the drone deliveries are keeping the business moving and in the pandemic there are two more used -cases that have come to light: the ability to limit person to person contact; to keep the supply chain open and the disaster recovery. It has raised the profile of the company and the industry as well.
Presently there are two services available: depot to depot and depot to customer. Drone Delivery Canada is also planning to enter into the shore to ship and ship to ship deliveries and it is a part of their offering. The different specifications of the drones that are currently available can easily go to a ship at sea and drop off any kind of emergency supplies. The largest drone can fly upto 200km and has a lifting capacity of 400 pounds of payload. And to further develop the product Drone Delivery Canada is also focusing on developing a drone that will have a capacity to lift a 40 feet container which will be a game changer in the logistics and supply chain industry.
Michael explains that the business is designed as a scalable international business. The company is in discussion with various potential US-based partners who are potentially interested in working with Drone Delivery Canada. He further adds that the company has started the process to apply to the FAA for an aircraft Type Design Approval for the Sparrow drone along with other Drone Delivery Canada fleets.
The Sparrow drone is an electric drone with a maximum range of 30 km and has a capacity to carry about four and a half kilograms of payload. Today Drone Delivery Canada can operate in a limited fashion under 14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 107 rules in the USA.
With the higher demand for technology based products and solutions in the logistics and maritime industry more and more tech focused companies are entering the market and Drone Delivery Canada believes that it is more of an extension to the traditional logistics can do for the last mile deliveries, which is expensive for these 3PL logistics companies.
“Drone Delivery can bring incremental revenue opportunities and premium services for traditional logistics operators”, said Michael Zahra.