AMP Builds UAS for Package Delivery

Photo courtesy Dronelife.com

 By Priya Potapragada



AMP Holding Inc., an electric drive systems manufacturer, announced that the company’s truck subsidiary has designed and successfully flown a battery-powered UAS, the HorseFly, for the package delivery market.



University of Cincinnati’s Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics collaborated with AMP to build the UAS. The eight-rotor aircraft is equipped with advanced motor controls to manage weather conditions such as wind gusts associated with flight.



"HorseFly is the logical extension of our mission to help companies better manage their logistics operations,” said AMP CEO Steve Burns,“whether a company wants to deliver its packages by truck or by aerial vehicle, we want to be able to answer their needs.”



The HorseFly, combined with the Workhorse Electric Truck, has the ability to recharge quickly using the truck. With the delivery trucks positioned throughout an area, the UAV can make short flights from the truck instead of flying from a warehouse for each delivery.



"Our years of designing battery systems and motor control systems for our electric cars and trucks gives us a wealth of experience on how to control and power an aerial vehicle. Like ground-based electric vehicles, the best battery will win. This isn't a hobbyist venture, we're working on an industrial strength, professional grade battery pack to ensure reliability and longer flight times" Burns added.