Startup Pyka has created a cargo drone that is useful for the environment
The world's largest unmanned aircraft Pelican Cargo can carry 400 lbs
In 2020, Pyka, a California-based start-up, launched the Pelican, an autonomous electric crop duster. The company has now developed a new version, the Pelican Cargo, which is the world’s largest autonomous electric cargo aeroplane.
Michael Norcia, CEO and co-founder of Pyka, stated that the Pelican Cargo will have a significant positive impact on people’s lives by reducing CO2 emissions from the logistics chain and providing faster delivery times and lower operating costs compared to conventional air transportation.
The Pelican Cargo is designed for last-mile express logistics, with a focus on delivering goods to remote rural communities. It has a 50-kWh Li-ion battery that offers a range of up to 200 miles on a single charge, with a 20-minute reserve.
The Pelican Cargo has a cargo space of 66 cubic feet that can hold up to 400 lbs of goods. It has a wingspan of 38 feet and requires a 600 x 50-ft runway for takeoff. It can fly at a cruise speed of between 92-103 mph.
The autonomous cargo plane is equipped with a proprietary flight engine that uses six processors spread across two computer systems.
Pyka has received over 80 pre-commitment orders from three launch customers, one of which is Skyports Drone Services in the UK. A flight program is expected to start in early Q2 in Cornwall.
