A company called Elroy Air that is developing an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air cargo system has closed a $9.2 million seed round of funding, according to VentureBeat.
The company says that it is developing its autonomous VTOL air cargo system for three primary reasons. First, it believes “access to express shipping improves quality of life and economic opportunities for people, and should be available to everyone.”
Second, it believes that “now is the moment in history when autonomous VTOL aircraft can be developed to expand the reach of air cargo at scale.”
Package Delivery
Package Delivery
Starship Technologies and Sodexo launch robot food delivery service at George Mason University
On Tuesday, Jan. 22, Starship Technologies and global food and facilities management services provider Sodexo Inc. launched a robot food delivery service at George Mason University’s campus in Fairfax, Virginia.
The service will allow George Mason’s 40,000 students, faculty and staff to order food and drinks that can be delivered anywhere on campus, within minutes, via Starship's robots.
Some of the initial retailers participating in the service include Blaze Pizza, Starbucks, and Dunkin’, with more retailers expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
Stop & Shop to deliver groceries in Greater Boston area using driverless vehicles
Beginning this spring, a neighborhood grocer called Stop & Shop will utilize driverless grocery vehicles from Robomart to give consumers in the Greater Boston area the opportunity to shop right from their doorsteps.
The vehicles will be used to bring a selection of Stop & Shop's produce, as well as meal kits and convenience items, directly to consumers, in an effort to address their desires to select their own fresh produce when shopping online or using a mobile app, while also delivering an even more convenient grocery shopping experience for Stop & Shop customers in the Boston area.
The vehicles will also provide the potential for Stop & Shop to expand beyond its existing brick-and-mortar footprint.
Walmart and Udelv to deliver fresh groceries via autonomous vehicles in Arizona
Walmart has announced a new pilot project with Udelv to test autonomous vehicle technology in Surprise, Arizona.
During the pilot, fresh groceries hand-picked by Walmart’s personal shoppers will be delivered to customers by Udelv, using a cargo van custom-made to deliver the items.
“We’re still learning – it’s a pilot – but, we want to make sure we stay on the cutting edge of grocery delivery by exploring what’s new and next,” Walmart says.
In addition to its pilot with Walmart, Udelv also debuted the latest model of its self-driving delivery vans—featuring new state of-the-art technology—this week during CES 2019.
Segway-Ninebot unveils first autonomous vehicle for short distance delivery
Segway-Ninebot has unveiled Loomo Delivery, which is the company’s first autonomous vehicle that is designed for the short distance delivery industry for take-outs, parcels, and goods.
Capable of safely navigating obstacles and crowded environments, Loomo Delivery is described by Segway-Ninebot as “fast, convenient and a fully automated transporter.”
DoorDash and Cruise Automation to use autonomous vehicles to deliver your food in San Francisco
On-demand courier service DoorDash has partnered with General Motors’ Cruise Automation to test what the companies are calling the first food deliveries using autonomous vehicles in San Francisco.
Testing will begin in March.
During testing, DoorDash and Cruise will seek to answer the following three primary questions:
What key technical and infrastructure challenges exist with autonomous delivery?
How can autonomous delivery positively impact merchants, dashers, and customers?
And are autonomous vehicles capable of achieving the same quality standards DoorDash customers have come to know and love?
