MightyFly was awarded a $150,000 grant from the Michigan Mobility Funding Platform (MMFP), on Might thirtieth, 2023, to carry out autonomous cargo supply flight demonstrations within the state of Michigan. That is anticipated to be the primary public demonstration of an autonomous, fixed-wing electrical vertical take-off and touchdown (eVTOL) plane showcasing 100 kilos of cargo deliveries.
Throughout these demonstration flights, carried out with the assist of the Michigan Workplace of Future Mobility and Electrification (OFME), MightyFly will showcase the capabilities of its third-generation autonomous cargo plane with 100 kilos of cargo capability and a 6 ft by 19 inch by 18 inch cargo bay, able to carrying as much as 212 small USPS packages. MightyFly’s categorical supply options will carry new logistics alternatives to companies and set a precedent on this planet’s aviation and logistics industries.
The logistics wants of Michigan’s manufacturing, automotive, logistics, retail, chemical and pharmaceutical industries supply the best state of affairs for MightyFly to reveal a brand new method to ship merchandise, components, provides and numerous items. These Michigan companies want categorical logistics, with quick, environment friendly and inexpensive same-day delivery companies. MightyFly’s one-shot business-to-business (B2B) supply companies will present value financial savings for just-in-time manufacturing traces, well timed deliveries of essential shipments for medical therapies, and fast replacements of fast-moving shopper items to retailers, amongst many different advantages.
The MMFP grant program is managed by the OFME and is a part of a statewide technique to make sure Michigan stays the worldwide chief in the way forward for mobility. 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, growing entry to inexpensive and dependable transportation choices and modernizing present transportation techniques 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 sturdy 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 automobiles – it’s on air, land and sea,” mentioned Charlie Tyson, Know-how Activation Supervisor, OFME. “Michigan is uniquely positioned to assist testing, growth, and deployment of latest applied sciences that may result in extra inexpensive, accessible transportation options and we’re excited to assist MightyFly by way of the MMFP program and their continued efforts to develop in Michigan.”
“We’re excited to be the primary giant, autonomous, fixed-wing eVTOL cargo supply firm to reveal how autonomous aerial expedited logistics options will higher serve Michiganders,” mentioned Manal Habib, CEO of MightyFly. “This demonstration would be the first stepping stone for the environment friendly stream of products the world over, making it attainable for everybody to entry dependable and inexpensive same-day deliveries. We will likely be making historical past!”
Along with this undertaking, MightyFly is at the moment scoping and planning proof of idea (POCs) trials with companions all through 2024 and 2025.
