German delivery drone manufacturer and service provider Wingcopter last week raised $42 million from renowned financial and strategic investors as part of a Series A extension round. The fresh funding triples the company’s total equity raise to more than $60 million to date. Leading retailer REWE Group and German investors Salvia and XAI technologies have come onboard as new shareholders. They will now join Japanese conglomerate ITOCHU and previous backers Future Capital from Germany and … [Read more...] about Wingcopter scores US$42m in latest funding round
cargo drones
Drones usher in new era for air freight and logistics
The use of drones or unmanned aerial vehicles has certainly come a long way. From hot air balloons for reconnaissance in the late 1800s to remote-controlled planes for military purposes, the technology has greatly evolved and its usage has become widespread across different sectors, most notably logistics. Across the globe, leading engineers and companies are developing all sorts of drones for air cargo operations, whether for inspection, sorting in fulfilment centres, wildlife management or … [Read more...] about Drones usher in new era for air freight and logistics
Dronamics gears up for commercial with operational license
Cargo drone developer and operator DRONAMICS last week obtained the EU’s Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC), becoming the first cargo drone company to achieve such a feat. The license, granted by the Transport Malta Civil Aviation Directorate (TM-CAD), the country’s Civil Aviation Authority, is recognised in all EU member states and allows operations in accordance with European Regulation (EU). Dronamics said the LUC is the highest authorisation currently achievable under European drone … [Read more...] about Dronamics gears up for commercial with operational license
Drone operator Skyports raises US$23 million in funding
UK-registered air taxi and drone services provider Skyports has raised US$23 million in the first close of its series B funding round from a combination of new and existing investors. Skyports will use the funding to consolidate its position as a global leader in advanced air mobility infrastructure and drone operations. The company plans to scale its drone services operations in new and existing markets, building on active operations in the UK, Europe and Asia. Skyports … [Read more...] about Drone operator Skyports raises US$23 million in funding
Wingcopter secures funding from Japanese drone investor
German drone developer Wingcopter has received an investment from Japanese venture capital company Drone Fund, which specializes in startups related to drones and air mobility. The injection, which will come from a third fund amounting to US$90 million raised by the Japan-based VC, comes in the run-up of Wingcopter’s Series B investment round. This would be Drone Fund's first investment in drone technology and first partnership with a German company. Last year, Wingcopter signed a … [Read more...] about Wingcopter secures funding from Japanese drone investor
DHL Express to pilot cargo drones over Malaysian waters
DHL Express and Malaysia-based aviation solutions provider Pen Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to commercialise urgent cargo deliveries using unmanned aerial vehicles, in partnership with Raya Airways as the main drone operator. The integrator announced that it will participate in a proof of commercialisation (POC) by end-2021 to demonstrate the commercial viability of time-critical cargo drone delivery for port logistics missions to serve the maritime … [Read more...] about DHL Express to pilot cargo drones over Malaysian waters