UAV DHL launches first automated drone delivery service in China

DHL has launched its first regular fully-automated and intelligent urban drone delivery service with EHang in China.

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A launch ceremony was held at the EHang Command and Control Center in Guangzhou, China. The strategic partnership between DHL Express and EHang has been entered in order to realize major innovations in smart logistics. The new drone delivery service is the first autonomous solution of the Joint Venture.

The drone service has been installed for last-mile delivery challenges in the urban areas of China. With state-of-the-art technologies, DHL and EHang are the first international express companies to provide such a service in China. The launch of operations is a milestone, both for DHL Express and EHang.

"We are delighted to be partnering with EHang to set a new innovation milestone with this new fully-automated and intelligent drone logistics solution, which combines the strength of the world's largest international express company together with one of the leading UAV companies in the world," said Wu Dongming, CEO, DHL Express China.

Mr. Hu Huazhi, Founder & CEO of EHang, added: "Together with DHL we are very glad to bring the first smart drone delivery service route to China in Guangzhou; this marks a new beginning in building air logistics for smart cities. Riding on today's launch, we expect smart drone delivery as an innovative logistics solution to be expanded and realized in more areas, and we look forward to working with DHL in building the eco-system for a multi-dimensional urban air transport system."

The first route of the drone has been exclusively created for a DHL customer. It covers a distance of nearly eight kilometres between the customer premises and the DHL service centre in Liaobu. The most advanced UAV from EHangĀ“s newly-launched Falcon series is being used for the flights.

The drone reduces one-way delivery times from 40 minutes to eight minutes and can additionally save costs of up to 80% per delivery. Reduced energy consumption and a bettered environmental footprint round off the new service.

Source © dpdhl.com

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