Dronamics, the world’s first cargo drone airline, has recognized the growing need and demand for autonomous aircrafts in the air cargo services space. The company upholds the flying delivering van as the Holy Grail for cargo operators.
As such, Dronamics plans to run a cargo drone airline using drones specifically for the purpose. It has already attained a license to operate in Europe. Dronamics said the Black Swan model, its flagship, will be able to carry 350 kg at a distance of up to 2,500 km faster, cheaper and with lesser emissions than currently available options. The company is working with its Black Swan model to transform supply chains by filling the critical missing middle mile in air freight, and securing the provision of same-day deliveries to even the most remote areas of the world.
Moreover, Dronamics raised $40 million in pre-Series A funding from VCs and Angels. Dronamics got the funding from Founders Factory, Speedinvest, Eleven Capital and the Strategic Development Fund (SDF).
Svilen Rangelov, the co-founder and CEO at Dronamics, said they are the size of a delivery van (Renaul Kangoo/VW Caddy) and can cross all of Europe in 12 hours or less at a fraction of the cost of airfreight. “We operate in a space between airfreight and road freight, and by creating a faster, cheaper, greener middle-mile, we can help customers achieve tremendous saving. Right now the same-day radius of a fulfillment center is 2 hours drive.”
Rangelov explained that the only way to expand same-day coverage is to use a longer-distance low-cost middle-mile drone. “With our range we can cover all of Europe same-day from a single warehouse – no one is able to offer that, traditional or drone competitor.” He pointed out that Dronamics is already licensed to fly Light UAS Operator Certificate under the new EU drone regulations. “It’s cost profile is lower, and it sells capacity not aircraft. This allows the feedback loop between R&D and operations to be much shorter and we can innovate and iterate quicker.”
Abdullah Naser Al Jaabari, managing director and CEO of SDF, believes Dronamics’ economics are very promising. He said potential users of Dronamics would benefit from quick and efficient cargo deliveries.