MightyFly makes a long-range, autonomous cargo drone that may carry greater than 100 kilos in cargo – a improvement that would revolutionize specific supply shipments for a variety of industries.

The next is a visitor put up by Single Seat Consulting founder, Invoice Johnson.  DRONELIFE neither makes nor accepts cost for visitor posts.

MightyFly Wins $150K Demo Grant to Present Their Instrument to Revolutionize Logistics

By Invoice Johnson

MightyFly, a producer and operator of long-range, autonomous, hybrid electrical vertical takeoff and touchdown (eVTOL) cargo plane, introduced in a 28 June 2023 press launch the award of a $150,000 grant on 30 Could 2023 from the Michigan Mobility Funding Program.  Underneath the phrases of the grant, MightyFly will carry out the primary public demonstration of an autonomous, fixed-wing eVTOL plane showcasing 100 kilos of cargo deliveries.

Supported by the Michigan Workplace of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), these demonstration  flights will present MightyFly the possibility to showcase 100 kilos of autonomous cargo supply.  On this method, MightyFly expects to supply potential prospects with tangible proof of their specific supply options that can convey new logistics alternatives to companies.

As detailed within the press launch, the logistics wants of Michigan’s manufacturing, automotive, logistics, retail, chemical and pharmaceutical industries provide the best state of affairs for MightyFly to show a brand new option to ship merchandise, elements, provides and numerous items. These Michigan companies want specific logistics, with quick, environment friendly, and reasonably priced same-day transport providers. MightyFly sees their one-shot business-to-business (B2B) supply providers as offering value financial savings for just-in-time manufacturing traces, well timed supply of essential shipments for medical therapies, and fast replacements of fast-moving shopper items to retailers.

MightyFly CEO, Manal Habib defined in a latest interview, the demonstration flights are scheduled to happen over a two-week interval and plan to conduct autonomous point-to-point flights that spotlight a number of essential use circumstances of specific curiosity to the anticipated buyer base.  “We’re going to show full autonomous flight from takeoff to cruise flight to touchdown, whereas demonstrating a wide range of cargo deliveries. This would be the first entry [of a large autonomous fixed-wing eVTOL] into the market. We will likely be demonstrating to our future prospects what we will serve them, how significantly better it’s and the way way more handy it’s. Most occasions, comfort is priceless!”

Habib sees Michigan as a primary location to show this functionality.  For her, Michigan is increasing their industrial base into Superior Air Mobility whereas additionally being very supportive of start-ups like MightyFly.  “Michigan is at present placing quite a lot of effort into getting into the Superior Air Mobility market.  Having been within the transportation sector and seeing the monitor transportation is shifting on, it solely is sensible to enter the aviation market. To that finish, they’re doing loads to draw many start-ups.”

She additionally famous the state is working to each assist their long-standing automotive trade and      transfer in direction of the way forward for mobility, “There’s at present a reasonably large want within the {hardware} trade for reasonably priced same-day supply providers to maintain their just-in-time manufacturing working.  This goes past manufacturing, to retail and different companies as effectively, however what stands out about Michigan is the automotive trade and the way the federal government proper now’s attempting to again aviation to each assist the automotive trade and be sure that Michigan goes to be a part of the long run, and the long run is in aviation.”

The press launch explains the grant program is managed by the OFME as a part of a statewide technique to make sure Michigan stays the worldwide chief in the way forward for mobility, electrification coverage and innovation. This system was launched by the Michigan Financial Growth Company (MEDC) and the Michigan Division of Transportation (MDOT) to catalyze and scale new mobility options that enhance environmental sustainability by encouraging EV adoption and charging infrastructure buildout, rising entry to reasonably priced and dependable transportation choices and modernizing current transportation methods for Michiganders. The OFME has beforehand partnered with the Michigan Unmanned Aerial Programs Consortium (MUASC) to facilitate testing of autonomous plane in Michigan. The OFME works throughout state authorities, regulators, academia and personal trade to construct a strong ecosystem of companions able to main the adoption and use of transformative mobility options like that of MightyFly.

“We all know the way forward for mobility is extra than simply autos – it’s on air, land and sea,” mentioned Charlie Tyson, Know-how Activation Supervisor, OFME. “Michigan is uniquely positioned to assist testing, improvement, and deployment of latest applied sciences that can result in extra reasonably priced, accessible transportation options and we’re excited to assist MightyFly by way of the MMFP program and their continued efforts to develop in Michigan.”

Habib’s enthusiasm for the chance to show their aircrafts functionality is apparent within the press launch assertion, “We’re excited to be the primary giant, autonomous, fixed-wing eVTOL cargo supply firm to show how autonomous aerial expedited logistics options will higher serve Michiganders. This demonstration would be the first stepping stone for the environment friendly circulate of products the world over, making it doable for everybody to entry dependable and reasonably priced same-day deliveries. We will likely be making historical past!”

The imaginative and prescient for MightyFly continues after these demonstrations that will likely be carried out underneath their FAA particular airworthiness certificates.  Along with this undertaking, MightyFly is at present scoping and planning proof of idea (POCs) trials with companions all through 2024 and 2025. Habib says they’re working carefully with the FAA in direction of the final word objective of a Half 135 approval along side a sort and manufacturing certification to function as a logistics service supplier.

MightyFly’s present facility, that has manufactured the R&D plane, will be capable to produce a number of third technology manufacturing plane.  Nevertheless, as they scale their operations, they’re open to increasing with different choices.  As Habib said: “We at present developed full functionality to fabricate in-house. This allows us to maneuver shortly, as a result of upon getting all the things in-house, you possibly can, particularly within the R&D phases, churn by way of the event of plane shortly.”

MightyFly sees their automobile as having the three essential components wanted to unravel the just-in-time logistics drawback confronted by {hardware} producers.  First is autonomy and the price financial savings it’s going to present operators.  Habib factors out, “Plane which might be electrical however should not autonomous, have a giant drawback as a result of they nonetheless must pay for labor. And that is the most important value think about logistics.”

For Habib, simply as essential, the flexibility to take off and land vertically offers the required comfort and time financial savings that can assist just-in-time operations. She is adamant on this level, “In case you are actually seeking to present these hourly, handy options, it’s essential to have a one-shot supply from supply to vacation spot.  If you need to do a primary step, go to the airport, unload and cargo, and do a second step from airport to airport, then a 3rd step. Now now we have three phases and every have loading and unloading.  Neglect about comfort and hourly, as a result of now you’re at a day or extra <for supply>.  So there’s a enormous drawback when these plane don’t couple autonomy and eVTOL.

The ultimate component is financial system of scale. MightyFly promotes its third-generation autonomous cargo plane as having a 100 kilos cargo capability and a 6 ft by 19 inch by 18 inch cargo bay, able to carrying as much as 212 small USPS packages.

For Habib, smaller, single package deal supply drones simply can’t compete. “There are quite a lot of the small <logistics drones> however the small ones actually lose the financial system of scale. When you solely carry one package deal, it’s like FEDEX or UPS engaged on bikes.”

The aerial logistics market seems to be very aggressive.  However in her eyes, Habib sees MightyFly in a superb place.  “Once you get expertise like ours, it unlocks a big market,” she says.  Including, “So you actually wish to convey the financial system of scale, with autonomy and eVTOL facets, with lengthy vary into one answer. Truly, there are very, only a few gamers placing all these benefits collectively.  If something, the market can use extra of them.”

With this grant and the following demonstrations, it appears to be like like MightyFly is effectively on the best way to being amongst these only a few.

Invoice Johnson is the Founding father of Single Seat Consulting LLC offering corporations working within the DoD R&D and Superior Air Mobility market with strategic, operations and enterprise alternative recommendation.  He was a profession Naval Aviator, Senior Director for Northrop Grumman Mission Programs and at present serves because the Rising Aviation Know-how Advisor to Girls and Drones.  He graduated with a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the US Naval Academy, and MBA from Florida Institute of Know-how and an MA in Nationwide Safety and Strategic Research from the US Naval Struggle School.  

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory atmosphere for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the business drone area and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade.  Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising and marketing for brand new applied sciences.
For drone trade consulting or writing, Electronic mail Miriam.

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