Skip to main content
European Commission logo
TRIMIS

AIRCARRUS - Autonomous Drone Delivery System

Project

AIRCARRUS - AIRCARRUS - Autonomous Drone Delivery System


Funding origin:
European
European Union
STRIA Roadmaps:
Connected and automated transport (CAT)
Connected and automated transport
Transport mode:
Airborne
Airbone
Transport sectors:
Freight transport
Freight transport
Duration:
Start date: 01/05/2019,
End date: 31/10/2019

Status: Finished
Funding details:
Total cost:
€71 429
EU Contribution:
€50 000

Overview

Background & policy context:

Drones can be used in a wide range of applications and offer valuable services in remote locations or critical situations.

Objectives:

The EU-funded AIRCARRUS project proposes an autonomous rapid response drone delivery system without ground operators for launching or retrieving operations. The drone is operated through the cloud on a GSM mobile network using the patented Dbotix autopilot system and charged through a sequence of jump stations allowing long-distance travel and automatic load cargo. The project, which exploits existing EU technology programmes, will study the feasibility of improving the delivery drone designed by AERDRON to raise its range and automate charging and payload loading systems. AERDRON has signed several European logistic centre partners in the beta testing programme.

Aircarrus is an autonomous rapid response drone delivery system that services remote locations and or time critical events utilizing an automated ground processing station . The system is completely autonomous and requires no ground operators to launch or retrieve the delivery drone. The drone is operated through the Cloud on a GSM mobile network using our proprietary Dbotix autopilot. The drone is charged using a series of jump stations that allow it to travel long distances and load cargo automatically. AERDRON aims to study the feasibility of upgrading and adapting our existing delivery drone HL4 Herculift to increase its range and automate the charging and payload loading systems. AERDRON will also study the feasibility of using off the grid jump stations powered only by renewable green energy systems (solar/wind) to service areas with limited infrastructure. The Aircarrus project plans to leverage existing EU Commission technology programs from the Galileo GPS to the SESAR U-Space network.

Contribute! Submit your project

Do you wish to submit a project or a programme? Head over to the Contribute page, login and follow the process!

Submit