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Australian drone firm Gap Drone is nearing completion of a demonstration model for its newly-christened “Atlas” freight drone.
The four-metre-long Autonomous Transport Logistics Air System UAV is slated for commercial launch in 2026, with the start-up set to test its navigation and propulsion systems on a smaller-scale “Baby Atlas” demonstrator platform in coming weeks.
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The Baby Atlas is a fully-functional, one-third scale model of the full-sized Atlas, said Gap Drone CEO Liesl Haris.
“There is nothing sub-scale about the technologies that we are demonstrating in our ‘Baby Atlas’ model,” Haris said.
“This model is a powerhouse in its own right, featuring all the avionics and technology which will be replicated exactly in our full-size Atlas.”
Gap Drone says its UAV systems will be able to carry payloads of 60 to 90kg at speeds of 120km/h, with a maximum range of 1,100km and fuel consumption of 21km per litre.
The company has partnered with Swinburne University’s Aerostructures Innovation Research (AIR) Hub, NOVA Systems, and the federal government’s iMOVE CRC on the project, with the aim of completing a full-sized prototype by mid-next year.
“Gap Drone’s superior payload capacity and range mean regional hubs – both here and abroad – could soon see unprecedented connectivity for post, produce, and resources, in both directions,” Haris said.
“Atlas can reach far-flung locations, and deliver with precision every time, all while being faster, cheaper, and vastly more energy-efficient than traditional road and air delivery transport options.
“We’re filling the gap in the long-range, low-emission, heavy-payload UAV market. We’re bridging the supply chain gap between major cities and remote communities, opening new avenues for growth. And, in collaboration with First Nations communities, we’re filling the gap in vital STEM career opportunities for Indigenous Australians.”
A report from Airservices Australia in February predicted the country could see 60 million drone flights per year by 2043, with transport and logistics anticipated to make up 77 per cent of the increase in drone traffic.
Companies such as Wing are already making drone deliveries in some areas of the country, with Wing expanding services in the Queensland city of Logan last year, and this year launching in Melbourne. Currently, 120,000 drone deliveries of food and other goods are made annually.
