A major Canadian delivery-drone firm is teaming up with Toyota to create a UAV delivery logistics platform.
Drone Delivery Canada announced the partnership May 28 with Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. – a subsidiary of the well-known Toyota Group. The effort will see TTCI participate with DDC’s commercial pilot program in Canada for flight testing and development of international markets for drone delivery.
“This agreement with TTCI is expected to open international markets for us as a company,” commented Tony Di Benedetto, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada. “Working alongside a global industrial leader such as Toyota Tsusho also provides us quick access to a very extensive international global network and a breadth of commercial skills.”
“We are confident drone delivery services are the way of the future. This agreement with DDC will enable us to participate in this cutting-edge technology,” said Hidetoshi Tada, President of TTCI.
For Toronto-based DDC, the agreement is another forward step in solidifying its positions as a top firm in the growing drone-delivery sector. American drone-delivery efforts have been hampered by FAA regulations – although the agency’s recent UAS integration announcement may unleash further delivery innovation. Fifty percent of the ten projects could get the go-ahead for development.
DDC faces fewer obstacles as a Canadian company and partnering with Toyota can only open up more doors internationally.
DDC Timeline
- December 2017 – Transport Canada accepts DDC’s Declaration of Compliance for the X1000 Sparrow cargo delivery drone — the first of three regulatory components to the Transport Canada Compliant UAS Operator program, and mandatory for a Compliant UAS Operator Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC).
- February 2018 – Transport Canada grants the company a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) after having already granted two previous certificates. The certificate allows Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights.
- March 2018 – Successful set of test flights of delivery drones at UAS test site Griffiss International Airport in New York.
- May 2018 – Hiring of former FAA official Jim Williams in the newly created position of Director of Regulatory Affairs, USA.
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[…] DDC announced a partnership with Toyota Tsusho Canada – a subsidiary of the well-known Toyota Group. The hassle will see TTCI take part with DDC’s […]