Bell and Japan’s Yamato Holdings are collaborating on developing autonomous eVTOL systems that could be used for on-demand package delivery and large-scale logistics, they announced today, and they expect an initial “product” to enter service by the mid-2020s. For initial demonstrations, Bell will use its Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) while Yamato will develop a detachable pod suitable for ground-handling. Yamato has provided logistics services for nearly 100 years.
The companies’ joint goal is to demonstrate the integration of an existing ground logistics network with vertical-lift capabilities to provide new services to customers. Bell’s APT uses a tail-sitting configuration, is capable of speeds of more than 100 mph, and can be scaled to handle loads of 15 to 1,000 pounds.
“In the past few years, our Bell team has renewed focus on novel innovative solutions to better serve our operators globally, and we are excited to use our expertise to redefine the practice of civilian logistics,” said Scott Drennan, Bell’s vice president of innovation. Last month Bell announced that its APT would also be used in a NASA project to conduct end-to-end commercial UAS flight demonstrations by 2020 that include integrating the vehicle with detect-and-avoid capabilities.