The City of Arlington is pioneering a groundbreaking initiative to test the capabilities of Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) and autonomous electric vehicles through a Multimodal Delivery Demonstration Project. With a $780,182 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, Arlington has partnered with key organizations, including Aerialoop, the University of Texas at Arlington, Airspace Link, and Clevon, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while delivering essential food items to residents in need.
This two-year study aims to evaluate the efficiency and scalability of using low-emission drones and autonomous ground vehicles for deliveries, particularly targeting individuals who are mobility challenged, disadvantaged, or lack transportation options. The innovative combination of Aerialoop’s ALT6-4 VTOL drone and Clevon’s ground robot will help deliver over 300 boxes of food to Tarrant Area Food Bank clients. The AirHub® Portal by Airspace Link will provide the digital infrastructure to ensure safe planning and decision-making for each delivery.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, the project will engage the community, conduct pilot demonstrations, and analyze the data to assess the impact on air quality and efficiency. If successful, the project has the potential to revolutionize sustainable deliveries in urban areas and set a new standard for eco-friendly logistics.
The demonstration phase begins September 9–13, 2024, and promises exciting advancements in autonomous delivery technology that could be a reality by 2025.
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