Maximum automation—this succinct formula sums up the innovative approach developed by Grasshopper Air Mobility to optimize the delivery of goods. Based in Barcelona, this start-up is pursuing a groundbreaking technological concept for seamless end-to-end deliveries that could ultimately require no direct human interaction. Central to this vision is the role of a so-called flight-ground hybrid drone.
In an era marked by labor shortages and rising workforce costs, automation is becoming a critical focus in logistics and industrial processes. The industry is eager for solutions like Grasshopper Air Mobility’s recently unveiled concept for a heavy-duty transport drone that operates both in the air and on the ground. "The e350 functions like a flying delivery van and is the world’s only cargo drone specifically designed for Industry 4.0 applications. By automating first- and last-mile deliveries as well as all loading and recharging processes, we offer a fully integrated solution,” explains Jakob Saalfrank, Co-Founder and CEO of Grasshopper Air Mobility. However, the start-up must still convince partners, customers, and investors of its vision before the concept becomes a market-ready product. While it may take several years to achieve this, the technology could usher in a new era of transport logistics.
The proposed logistics system revolves around "Charging and Loading Stations" (CLS), where the aptly named "e350 Flying Cargo Van" is loaded and unloaded—fully autonomously, of course. With batteries housed and charged directly within specially designed transport containers, drone downtime could be reduced to a minimum. The VTOL-capable UAS (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) is not only capable of autonomous flight but is also designed for ground mobility. For example, after being loaded at the CLS, the drone could drive directly out of a warehouse and take off from a suitable location. With a ground range of up to 10 kilometers, even significant portions of the "last mile" could be covered by driving.
Nonetheless, the primary role of the drone will be aerial transport of goods. The concept envisions transporting palletized loads weighing up to 350 kilograms in its containers. This would be achieved at speeds of up to 220 kilometers per hour with a range of over 200 kilometers. If a hybrid hydrogen-electric propulsion system is implemented instead of a purely battery-powered drivetrain, the range could extend to 600 kilometers.
>This article was produced in cooperation with Drones, the magazine for the drone economy. www.drones-magazin.de
