UrbanLink Air Mobility Collaborates with Traverse Aero “For 40 Hybrid-Electric eVTOL Cargo Drones”
Florida-based, UrbanLink Air Mobility, announced this week a collaboration with California-based, Traverse Aero, to expand its fleet by adding 40 hybrid-electric eVTOL cargo drones called Orca, reports a press release.
This drone “is the world’s first fully autonomous eVTOL designed specifically for palletised cargo,” explains the release. “It boasts a 600-mile range and delivers cargo weighing up to 550 pounds by using batteries and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to achieve an 80 percent reduction in CO2 emissions.”
It continues, “Its rapid response capabilities, coupled with its heavy lift and long range, make it invaluable for first responders and ideal for large-scale, humanitarian relief efforts. Designed for seamless integration into existing logistics supply chains, a feature that sets it apart in the eVTOL industry, it is also well-suited to many commercial and national security applications.”
While lorries have traditionally dominated palletised cargo transport these vehicles contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, so drones can play a transformative role in the sector, offering a cleaner, more sustainable alternative, reducing the carbon footprint of supply chain operations.
Ed Wegel, UrbanLink Founder and Chairman, commented, ”The Orca drone not only provides our customers with an environmentally friendly delivery service, it also allows us to support first responders and local communities in the wake of a natural disaster. This partnership marks another step forward in our mission to deliver sustainable, high-value, end-to-end transportation across air, sea and ground.”
The Florida-based company is to initially deploy Orca drones in Puerto Rico, working with government and relief agencies to deliver essential supplies, equipment and rescue services. In Miami, these drones will support relief operations and transport additional baggage and cargo for passengers travelling via UrbanLink’s eVTOL aircraft and sea vessels.
Scott Parker, Founder and CEO of Traverse Aero, remarked, “This order validates the Orca as the platform of choice for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) cargo and humanitarian relief. It also ensures we remain closely aligned with the rapidly evolving eVTOL and AAM industry and laser-focused on our customer requirements.”
Since launching this April, UrbanLink has rapidly expanded its fleet to include eVTOL aircraft, the 9-passenger Eviaton ALICE aircraft, and electric sea vessels from Regent Craft and Artemis Technologies. The company is currently focused on Miami/South Florida, Los Angeles/Southern California and the Caribbean, with additional routes and regions to be announced in the near future.
For more information
(Top image: UrbanLink Air Mobility)
For the latest news, insights and content regarding the global Advanced Air Mobility market, please join the following eVTOL Insights channels: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, X and LinkedIn.