DHL launches parcelcopter as part of research project

DHL Parcel is due to soon launch a unique project which will see the delivery of urgently needed shipments, such as medication, to the North Sea island of Juist by DHL parcelcopter. The project is the first time that a flight has been made by an unmanned aircraft in Europe and helps DHL Parcel move forward to the next phase of its parcelcopter research project which was introduced in December 2013.

DHL parcel has worked with its two research and development partners, the Institute of Flight System Dynamics at RWTH Aachen University and Microdrones GmbH, to complete the process. To coordinate, the German Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure has determined a restricted flight path to be used exclusively for the project.

Having nearly been a year since its last flight, the DHL parcelcopter has been adapted so that is can carry out specific tasks and assignments. The team behind the parcelcopter has ensured the vehicle has been enhanced in certain areas, such as flight duration, flight range and speed to address the challenges it will face from wind and adverse weather conditions of the North Sea.

Jürgen Gerdes, CEO of Deutsche Post DHL’s Post – eCommerce – Parcel Division, has said: “Our DHL parcelcopter 2.0 is already one of the safest and most reliable flight systems in its class that meets the requirements needed to fulfil such a mission. We are proud that this additional service can create added value for the residents of and visitors to the island of Juist and are pleased with the support we have received from the involved communities and agencies.”