Microdrones and DHL Release Paketkopter Delivery UAS

Photo courtesy microdrones GmbH.

By Danielle Lucey



Germany company microdrones and shipping company DHL have teamed up to release the Paketkopter delivery unmanned aircraft, which the companies debuted at event in Bonn, Germany, on 9 Dec. 

Over the course of a week of testing, a microdrones UAS delivered 40 parcels from DHL’s headquarters to a pharmacy across the Rhine River, a distance of 500 meters. The pharmacy would place an order and the UAS would fly it over, therefore “avoiding the congested roads delivery drivers normally face when crossing waterways,” according to microdrones.

Germany’s transportation department and military were both aware of the flight, and microdrones has a standing permit to fly in the area. 



So far, DHL has purchased three of the systems, based on microdrones’ md4-1000 and md4-200 unmanned aircraft. DHL has branded its systems with the new name, Paketkopter.