DroneUp LLC, an autonomous drone delivery firm, today introduced what the company calls an autonomous ecosystem that combines automated ground infrastructure for businesses, software operating systems and its drone platform for last-mile deliveries.

The DroneUp Ecosystem begins with the DBX system, which is a climate-controlled locker and drone landing platform that has a footprint smaller than a parking space. Each DBX can manage multiple packages for a retailer, restaurant or other location so that workers can deposit packages for pickup by drones. It can be placed anywhere: in a parking lot, on the side of a building or even on top of one. All it needs is power.

Once a package is placed within the DBX, robotic equipment inside weighs the package, checks its center of gravity and places it on a shelf in preparation for pickup. When a drone is ready, it’s automatically dispatched to a landing pad on top of the DBX, if it’s not already there. Then the package is delivered to the drone, where it hooks on and is carried away.

The DBX kiosk can also act as a secure storage system for high-capacity residential areas where drone delivery direct to customers is unfeasible, such as apartments or high-rises. As a secure locker, the DBX can act to prevent “porch piracy,” because it can keep packages safe from theft and only the recipient can retrieve the package or hot food using a customer code.

In addition, the DBX can be used by customers to return orders. It makes it much easier for customers to simply package up their returns, walk up to the DBX and insert them into the kiosk so that a drone can arrive and pick them up.

“Throughout the last few years, our work with leading retailers and quick-service restaurants has provided us with valuable insights into the speed and convenience that end customers desire from drone delivery,” said Chief Executive Tom Walker. “With unparalleled technology, our ecosystem is designed to exceed those expectations, enabling us to perform millions of deliveries daily.”

According to DroneUp, the end-to-end autonomous system is designed to reduce the interaction with humans across the entire system. Through autonomous flight planning and control using ‘one to many’ operations, a single operator can monitor many drones instead of flying just one. Artificial intelligence autonomy also allows the company’s drones to steer through challenging weather conditions, avoid obstacles and locate DBX for package pickup and delivery.

DroneUp’s drones are capable of operating at speeds up to 60 miles per hour over a 30-mile range. According to the company, they are capable of carrying around 10 pounds and have been equipped with a new “claw-like package grasper” that can perform areal drops or pickups from up to 120 feet in the air. At this height, the drones are also very quiet, meaning that they won’t bother people during drop-offs.

“If we do our jobs right, you won’t hear us and you won’t see us,” said Walker. “Unless you want to, because it’s pretty cool.”

The drone platform also supports charging, which means that there will be less need to swap battery packs, increasing total uptime.

DroneUp already operates across seven states, including Arizona, Florida and Texas, through drone “Hubs.” Hubs act as landing points for drones and where certified flight engineers control ongoing operations. The company teamed up with Walmart Inc. in 2022 to provide drone deliveries to its customers. According to the company, the drones can deliver items from Walmart, including fragile items like eggs, in as little as 30 minutes.

“At the core of our ground integration strategy is a mission, a mission to connect people with products — turning drone delivery into a seamless extension of everyday life,” said co-founder and Chief Technology Officer John Vernon. “Our fluid hub and spoke model combined with DBX infrastructure and advanced security features ensures that we can serve diverse communities and partner with businesses in the ways that work best for them. We are not just bridging distances; we are revolutionizing the way that goods move.”

The company said it will begin rolling out the DBX ecosystem in select markets beginning this year starting in Dallas, Texas and Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Photo: DroneUp