{"id":41345,"date":"2021-08-27T08:13:04","date_gmt":"2021-08-27T12:13:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/?post_type=emagazine&#038;p=41345"},"modified":"2022-07-27T07:47:09","modified_gmt":"2022-07-27T11:47:09","slug":"mightyfly-vtol-delivery-drones","status":"publish","type":"emagazine","link":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/secure-futures-magazine\/mightyfly-vtol-delivery-drones\/41345\/","title":{"rendered":"How electric autonomous planes could change the logistics industry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Five years from now, the shoes or iPhone you just ordered online might be delivered to you in just a few hours. How is that possible? Hybrid-electric, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) autonomous aircraft \u2013 that\u2019s how.<\/p>\n<p>VTOLs are a type of drone about the size of an average car that takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter \u2013 no runway needed. An autonomous aircraft flies under the control of automatic systems and needs no intervention from a human pilot. Though at the moment, autonomous aircrafts are flying under the supervision of remote pilots.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s the vision of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/manal-habib-a5693a3a\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">entrepreneur, aerospace engineer and pilot Manal Habib<\/a>. In 2019 she co-founded <a href=\"https:\/\/mightyflying.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">MightyFly<\/a>, a start-up hoping to disrupt logistics with new-generation VTOL air units called the MightyFly MF-100.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-41347\" src=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2021\/08\/23080909\/257_mightfly_self_driving_aircraft_inline-1024x520.jpg\" alt=\"mightfly self driving aircraft\" width=\"1024\" height=\"520\"><\/p>\n<p>Delivery by drone isn\u2019t a new idea. Amazon is working on its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Amazon-Prime-Air\/b?ie=UTF8&amp;node=8037720011\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Prime Air service<\/a> that autonomously flies packages to customers by delivery drones in 30 minutes or less. UPS\u2019s drone airline, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/uas\/advanced_operations\/package_delivery_drone\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Flight Forward, recently received a Federal Aviation Administration certification<\/a>, removing limits on how frequently and widely the multinational logistics company can operate.<\/p>\n<p>Habib says the MightyFly MF-100 is unique because it automates loading and unloading as well as flight. \u201cIt can make many deliveries in the same flight. We\u2019ll keep the economies of scale and flexibility delivery vans give, but by automating the system and moving it to near-empty airspace, we\u2019ll see a cheaper, more efficient and faster service.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>\t\t\t<div class=\"c-promo-product\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/os.kaspersky.com\/solutions\/kaspersky-iot-infrastructure-security\/\" class=\"c-promo-product__figure\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2021\/08\/23082354\/k_IoT_Infrastructure_Security_black-3-500x500.png\" class=\"attachment-card-default size-card-default\" alt=\"\" data-src=\"https:\/\/media.kasperskydaily.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/92\/2021\/08\/23082354\/k_IoT_Infrastructure_Security_black-3-500x500.png\" data-srcset=\"\" srcset=\"\">\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<article class=\"c-card c-card--link c-card--medium@sm c-card--aside-hor@lg\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-card__body  \">\n\t\t\t\t\t<header class=\"c-card__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"c-card__headline\">Kaspersky IoT Infrastructure Security<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"c-card__title \"><span>Internet of things cybersecurity<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-card__desc \">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Secure-by-design internet of things gateways are key to reliable and functional IoT systems.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"c-card__aside\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/os.kaspersky.com\/solutions\/kaspersky-iot-infrastructure-security\/\" class=\"c-button c-card__link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Secure IoT<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/h2>\n<h2>Small but mighty<\/h2>\n<p>The MightyFly MF-100 has a cargo capacity of 100 pounds (45 kg) \u2013 that\u2019s double the maximum checked bag weight on most airlines \u2013 cruises at 150 mph (240 kph) and has a range of 600 miles (nearly 965 km.)<\/p>\n<p>Habib designed the craft with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/scottparker2000\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">MightyFly co-founder Scott Parker<\/a>, a product manager and mechanical engineer. The pair met while working at drone delivery company <a href=\"https:\/\/flyzipline.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Zipline<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>MF-100 uses nine electric motors to take off, then runs on gas once it transitions to fixed-wing flight. In future, the company will look at cleaner alternatives to gas like hydrogen fuel cells, and develop a craft capable of carrying five times the weight.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe class=\"youtube-player\" type=\"text\/html\" width=\"640\" height=\"390\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/644fZTQDhh8?version=3&amp;rel=1&amp;fs=1&amp;showsearch=0&amp;showinfo=1&amp;iv_load_policy=1&amp;wmode=transparent\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>MightyFly MF-100 taking off and in fixed-wing flight<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Habib says skies full of hybrid-electric autonomous planes is what the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.freightwaves.com\/news\/how-big-is-the-logistics-industry\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">huge \u2013 worth an estimated 8 to 12 trillion US dollars globally \u2013 and \u201cstagnant\u201d\u00a0 logistics industry<\/a> needs.<\/p>\n<h2>Changes in customer expectations and industry norms<\/h2>\n<blockquote><p>COVID-19 increased the need for faster delivery\/ People isolated at home needed goods to arrive fast. Trucks \u2013 the predominant method of delivery \u2013 are expensive and slow. Autonomous hybrid aircraft will change this.<\/p>\n<cite><p>Manal Habib, aerospace engineer, pilot and MightyFly co-founder <\/p><\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<p>Will fleets of hybrid-electric ghost planes replace trucks as the delivery\u2019s dominant vehicle? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.heinz.cmu.edu\/faculty-research\/profiles\/caldwell-stan\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Stan Caldwell<\/a>, Carnegie Mellon University\u2019s Adjunct Associate Professor of Transportation and Public Policy, thinks it\u2019s feasible. \u201cWe\u2019re seeing rapid increase in serious consideration of drones for freight delivery, especially last-mile freight,\u201d he says. <a href=\"https:\/\/whatis.techtarget.com\/definition\/last-mile-delivery\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">\u2018Last mile\u2019 is the part of a delivery process that reaches the consumer<\/a> \u2013 normally from a distribution center. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.businesswire.com\/news\/home\/20210517005609\/en\/Global-Drone-Doorstep-Deliveries-Market-Report-2021-Technology-is-NOT-Living-up-to-the-Hype---ResearchAndMarkets.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Some of the world\u2019s biggest retailers and logistics companies \u2013 like Google, UPS and DHL \u2013 are already experimenting with drone delivery<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Caldwell thinks delivery systems are becoming less centralized through a few companies, aiding the drone logistics boom. There are many players on the market. \u201cDistribution of systems is a trend in the freight industry. Walmart has delivery drones, and next, your local independent grocery store gets its own.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Taking the good with the bad<\/h2>\n<p>Having systems more spread out and drone-reliant comes with benefits. When <a href=\"https:\/\/www.transportenvironment.org\/newsroom\/blog\/electric-vehicles-are-far-better-combustion-engine-cars-when-it-comes-air-pollution\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">electric vehicles replace those with internal combustion engines, you reduce carbon emissions and air pollution<\/a>. In the US, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/transportation-air-pollution-and-climate-change\/carbon-pollution-transportation\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">trucks produce about 29 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions<\/a> \u2013 the country\u2019s largest contributor. There\u2019s also less congestion. \u201cDrones can\u2019t cause a bottleneck at the port,\u201d says Caldwell.<\/p>\n<p>But Caldwell also urges, before we foresee drone armadas fetching items at supersonic speed, we update (or revise) regulation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates commercial air traffic in the US, but drones are a different beast. Drone delivery may need local regulation: Different laws in different cities.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn the same way you see signs saying \u201cNo trucks allowed on this road or business district,\u201d cities should be able to regulate drones,\u201d says Caldwell.<\/p>\n<p>In July 2021, there were <a href=\"https:\/\/tracxn.com\/explore\/Drones-Startups-in-United-States\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">858 drone start-ups in the US<\/a> alone.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>The future of VTOLs may need much local regulatory thinking. How will port, pickup and drop-off locations interface with the ground? Will we need strategically placed small warehouses drones can fly in and out of? There are many such questions, says Caldwell. <\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>For Hunter Kosar, owner and president of US shipping and trucking company <a href=\"http:\/\/twistednail.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Twisted Nail Broker Services,<\/a> the idea ventures like MightyFly might replace trucking is \u201ca bit of a stretch.\u201d Kosar struggles to imagine businesses that need to rapidly send under 500 pounds of freight at 150 mph within a 300-mile radius. \u201cVTOLs will make the 600-mile round trip in four hours, but a <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Semi-trailer_truck\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">big rig 18-wheeler truck<\/a> will do the same trip in 12 hours carrying 90 times the freight.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kosar sees a VTOL niche in transporting time-sensitive supplies like human organs between hospitals. \u201cOrgans are light, expensive and needed fast. Healthcare would pay a lot to receive a heart for transport in 90 minutes instead of 4 hours.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He thinks to disrupt the traditional freight industry, the craft\u2019s loading capacity would need to increase by 75 times, and they\u2019d need local and regional permits to operate in any area\u2019s airspace. It seems unlikely to him, at least in the near future.<\/p>\n<h2>Autonomous aircraft and trucks sharing the load<\/h2>\n<p>MightyFly\u2019s last round of funding raised 5.1 million US dollars in just two months. \u201cWe\u2019ll use this funding to hire people, scale up our fleet and build the infrastructure to support a global network of hubs,\u201d says Habib. But if VTOL units conquer the skies and dot the lands with small, scattered distribution centers, trucks may not be doomed to extinction.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt will need human-intensive management. Trucks could go out to certain neighborhoods, then drones take the goods from the trucks and deliver them to individual houses. We\u2019ll need people to manage that system,\u201d Caldwell says, although he thinks drones will also redefine those people\u2019s roles.<\/p>\n<p>The big question when it comes to lightweight, last-mile delivery is not whether the technology is too futuristic \u2013 it\u2019s already here. Experts stress we\u2019ll need tailor-made regulation to govern drone traffic area-by-area and ways for drones to interface with final destinations.<\/p>\n<p>Before galloping away with the latest technological sensation, business leaders might consider that technology usually <a href=\"https:\/\/clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu\/2016\/09\/22\/what-happens-when-technology-is-faster-than-the-law\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">outpaces law<\/a>. Even simple things like where the drone will leave your package \u2013 the mailbox, under the porch, inside or outside? \u2013 haven\u2019t yet been sorted. \u201cYou can\u2019t imagine the amount of human judgment that goes into where the delivery person leaves packages,\u201d says Caldwell.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two business-minded engineers think their autonomous, vertical-landing planes could disrupt the delivery industry. Is it pie-in-the-sky?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2673,"featured_media":41346,"template":"","coauthors":[4194],"class_list":{"0":"post-41345","1":"emagazine","2":"type-emagazine","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"emagazine-category-emerging-tech","7":"emagazine-category-start-ups","8":"emagazine-tag-delivery","9":"emagazine-tag-logistics","10":"emagazine-tag-transport"},"hreflang":[{"hreflang":"x-default","url":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/secure-futures-magazine\/mightyfly-vtol-delivery-drones\/41345\/"}],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/emagazine\/41345","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/emagazine"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/emagazine"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2673"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41346"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41345"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kaspersky.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=41345"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}