Toyota subsidiary invests in cargo drone development

Japan-based JTEKT, a subsidiary of Toyota Group, has invested in the development of a cargo drone for disaster relief, making it the latest investment in the cargo drone market by the global automobile manufacturer. JTEKT has selected Japan-based Prodrone to produce a cargo drone that can carry 50 kilograms at ranges of 26 nautical miles, JTEKT told Cargo Facts , adding that the drone would be tailored to deliver aid to difficult-to-reach areas during disaster-relief operations. [caption id="attachment_56863548" align="alignright" width="450"] JTEKT has selected Prodrone to develop its cargo drone. (Photo/Prodrone)[/caption] The amount of JTEKT’s investment was not disclosed, and additional details about the drone’s capabilities will only be released when development has progressed. In 2020, images of a large cargo drone registered to Toyota, according to the FAA, were made public on social media after the craft was spotted at the Mojave Regional Spaceport (MHV). The registration for that drone expired in July 2022. Prodrone manufactures at least three drone types built for different missions. One of these is an unmanned helicopter, the PDH-GS120, powered by an 8-liter combustion engine and can carry 15 kg. The proposed JTEKT cargo drone’s 50-kg capacity would place the drone in a similar payload category as the Dufour Aero 2 , which can lift 40 kg at a 216-nautical-mile range at a cruising speed of 92 knots. The first Cargo Facts LATAM takes place May 15-17 in Panama City. Register today .

Toyota subsidiary invests in cargo drone development

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