MightyFly makes a long-range, autonomous cargo drone that may carry greater than 100 kilos in cargo – a growth that would revolutionize categorical supply shipments for a variety of industries.
The next is a visitor publish by Single Seat Consulting founder, Invoice Johnson. DRONELIFE neither makes nor accepts cost for visitor posts.
MightyFly Wins $150K Demo Grant to Present Their Software 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. Beneath 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 prospect to showcase 100 kilos of autonomous cargo supply. On this method, MightyFly expects to supply potential prospects with tangible proof of their categorical supply options that may 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 supply the perfect state of affairs for MightyFly to exhibit a brand new method to ship merchandise, elements, provides and varied items. These Michigan companies want categorical logistics, with quick, environment friendly, and reasonably priced same-day delivery companies. MightyFly sees their one-shot business-to-business (B2B) supply companies as offering value financial savings for just-in-time manufacturing strains, well timed supply of essential shipments for medical remedies, 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 necessary use instances of explicit curiosity to the anticipated buyer base. “We’re going to exhibit 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 might 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 first-rate location to exhibit 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 plenty of effort into getting into the Superior Air Mobility market. Having been within the transportation sector and seeing the observe transportation is transferring on, it solely is smart to enter the aviation market. To that finish, they’re doing quite a bit to draw many start-ups.”
She additionally famous the state is working to each assist their long-standing automotive business and transfer in the direction of the way forward for mobility, “There may be at present a fairly large want within the {hardware} business for reasonably priced same-day supply companies 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 business and the way the federal government proper now could be attempting to again aviation to each assist the automotive business 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 programs for Michiganders. The OFME has beforehand partnered with the Michigan Unmanned Aerial Methods Consortium (MUASC) to facilitate testing of autonomous plane in Michigan. The OFME works throughout state authorities, regulators, academia and personal business 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 autos – 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 recent applied sciences that may 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 exhibit their aircrafts functionality is clear within the press launch assertion, “We’re excited to be the primary giant, autonomous, fixed-wing eVTOL cargo supply firm to exhibit how autonomous aerial expedited logistics options will higher serve Michiganders. This demonstration would be the first stepping stone for the environment friendly movement of products internationally, making it doable for everybody to entry dependable and reasonably priced same-day deliveries. We might be making historical past!”
The imaginative and prescient for MightyFly continues after these demonstrations that might be carried out below 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 intently with the FAA in the direction of the final word objective of a Half 135 approval together with a kind and manufacturing certification to function as a logistics service supplier.
MightyFly’s present facility, that has manufactured the R&D plane, will have the ability to produce a number of third era manufacturing plane. Nevertheless, as they scale their operations, they’re open to increasing with different choices. As Habib acknowledged: “We at present developed full functionality to fabricate in-house. This allows us to maneuver rapidly, as a result of upon getting the whole lot in-house, you’ll be able to, particularly within the R&D phases, churn by way of the event of plane rapidly.”
MightyFly sees their car as having the three crucial components wanted to unravel the just-in-time logistics drawback confronted by {hardware} producers. First is autonomy and the fee financial savings it’ll present operators. Habib factors out, “Plane which might be electrical however usually are not autonomous, have a giant drawback as a result of they nonetheless need to pay for labor. And that is the largest value consider logistics.”
For Habib, simply as necessary, the flexibility to take off and land vertically offers the mandatory comfort and time financial savings that may assist just-in-time operations. She is adamant on this level, “In case you are actually trying to present these hourly, handy options, it’s worthwhile to have a one-shot supply from supply to vacation spot. If it’s important 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 we now have three phases and every have loading and unloading. Overlook about comfort and hourly, as a result of now you’re at a day or extra <for supply>. So there’s a large drawback when these plane don’t couple autonomy and eVTOL.
The ultimate ingredient is economic 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 plenty of the small <logistics drones> however the small ones actually lose the economic system of scale. For those who 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. “Whenever you get expertise like ours, it unlocks a huge market,” she says. Including, “So you actually wish to convey the economic system of scale, with autonomy and eVTOL facets, with lengthy vary into one resolution. 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 next demonstrations, it appears like MightyFly is effectively on the way in which to being amongst these only a few.
Invoice Johnson is the Founding father of Single Seat Consulting LLC offering firms 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 Methods and at present serves because the Rising Aviation Know-how Advisor to Ladies 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 Warfare School.
Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone business and the regulatory setting for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the business drone house and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the business. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand spanking new applied sciences.
For drone business consulting or writing, E-mail Miriam.
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