Wingcopter, a German sustainable drone solutions provider, and the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, announced the launch of the “Drohnen-Lastenrad-Express-Belieferung” (“Drone-Cargo Bike Express Delivery”) project.
Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport (BMDV) with around €430K, the project seeks to improve local supply networks sustainably.
The pilot project, named “LieferMichel”, aims to provide quick and emission-free deliveries of groceries and consumer goods to residents in remote districts in Michelstadt, Hesse, using Wingcopter delivery drones and cargo bikes.
By integrating drone technology and eco-friendly transportation methods, the initiative addresses the challenges of remote area deliveries while promoting environmental conservation and community convenience.
Dr. Tobias Robischon, mayor of the city of Michelstadt says, “Local supply in more remote neighbourhoods is an important issue not only for us in Michelstadt but in many rural communities in the region. That’s why we’re always interested in innovative ideas and concepts such as delivery by drone and cargo bike and are delighted to be part of this German premiere.”
Order everyday goods
The “LieferMichel” project will deliver groceries and non-perishable goods to residents in remote districts like Rehbach and Würzberg outside Michelstadt, using Wingcopter drones and electric cargo bikes.
Customers can order through www.liefermichel.de, with drones delivering goods to designated points near villages, and then transporting them to homes via bikes.
Initially offering products from the local REWE store, the project aims to expand its offerings by collaborating with more local retailers, providing convenient and eco-friendly delivery solutions for remote communities.
The pilot project, conducted with support from the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, is evaluating the economic and ecological impact of delivering groceries using Wingcopter drones and electric cargo bikes in remote districts near Michelstadt.
Partners include Vodafone (providing mobile communications infrastructure), Riese & Müller (supplying cargo bikes), and local entities like Michelstadt city and REWE.
“LieferMichel” will help remote village residents by offering convenient deliveries for small errands, eliminating the need for long drives to distant stores. The service, utilising electric drones, reduces car usage, making it eco-friendly and efficient for locals.
Tom Plümmer, CEO of Wingcopter says, “We are really proud to pilot LieferMichel, the first drone delivery service for groceries and everyday goods in Germany. Our biggest goal is to gain experience and evaluate, together with the residents, an environmentally friendly and efficient service that creates real added value for the population in rural areas.”
“We are deeply grateful for the hospitality of the people of Odenwald and the openness with which they have welcomed the project and the LieferMichel team.”
The business model
The LieferMichel project, inspired by its success in Michelstadt, aims to develop a scalable business model for fast and eco-friendly drone deliveries of everyday goods in rural Germany.
This initiative responds to the lack of quick delivery services in rural areas, where smaller stores have vanished, offering a solution to improve local supply networks efficiently and sustainably.
The project will initially run until the end of 2023 and will be continued if it proves successful.
Prof. Dr. Kai-Oliver Schocke, Director of the Research Lab for Urban Transport (ReLUT) at Frankfurt UAS says, “We believe that a drone-based delivery service in rural areas can be a win-win situation: Residents benefit from better supply options, retailers can increase their customer catchment area without having to set up delivery services themselves.”
“We also expect ecological benefits, as trips for smaller errands, in particular, can be substituted in this way,” adds Dr. Schocke.
Brief about Wingcopter
Wingcopter is a German drone manufacturer and service provider known for its all-electric delivery drones. The company’s Wingcopter 198 model combines vertical take-off like a multicopter with long-distance flight efficiency of a fixed-wing aircraft, even in challenging weather conditions.
Specialising in medical supply chains, Wingcopter claims to have gained recognition as a World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer and is backed by investors including the European Investment Bank and REWE Group.