Canadian Air Cargo Startup to Test Pilotless Flights in Remote Areas Soon

John Lopez, Tech Times 18 July 2023, 10:07 am

Ribbit, a Canadian air cargo startup, plans to launch a series of pilotless flights to deliver essential goods to rural and remote areas in Canada.

Engadget reports that this project follows the company's $1.3 million contract with Transport Canada and Innovative Solutions Canada to begin testing on self-flying aircraft in remote areas.

Ribbit's Bid for Cost-Effective Delivery Services

"Many rural and remote areas are served by larger airplanes that fly infrequently," said Pigeon in a recent press release.

"Ribbit takes a smaller aircraft and uses autonomy to drastically change the unit economics of that plane. This lets us offer reliable next-day or two-day service and improve supply chains."

The company has already identified a significant demand for timely food delivery, medical supplies, and other perishables in these regions.

By providing an efficient and cost-effective air delivery service, Ribbit aims to bridge the gap and improve accessibility for remote communities.

"The goal is really to try and improve that transportation link so that we can get food and other perishables, time-sensitive items, medical supplies, etcetera, into these communities at a lower price to the end consumer more reliably, and more frequently," said Ribbit's COO, Jeremy Wang.

Establishing Airport Hubs

Ribbit plans to establish specific airport hubs in strategic locations throughout Northern Ontario, Northern Manitoba, and Labrador to accomplish this.

These hubs will act as distribution centers, enabling the efficient transfer of supplies to the more remote areas.

Wang tells Northern Ontario Business that while they are flexible in choosing hub locations, establishing long-term operations in consistent flight routes might require closer collaboration with local stores.

The autonomous flight tests have already seen promising progress, with over 200 hours of hands-free flight on the two-seat aircraft. During the tests, an onboard safety pilot was present but remained hands-off, demonstrating the reliability and potential of the self-flying planes.

The current plan is for these self-flying planes to have remote operators, ensuring flights are monitored and guided from the ground. However, the actual aircraft will handle all aspects of the journey, from taxiing to takeoff, navigation, and landing. In the event of an emergency or system failure, a human operator can take over to ensure safety.

Ribbit's Edge

While Ribbit faces competition from more prominent players like Xwing and Reliable Robotics in the autonomous flight space, it believes its advantage lies in its deep understanding of the region's needs.

Ribbit aims to serve as an enabler for a future where goods can be shipped and received quickly and reliably, regardless of location.

"We have identified several applications for the technology, be it air cargo, asset monitoring, or maritime patrol," said Wang. "Customers appreciate our ability to understand their operations deeply-then reimagine them with autonomy."

Ribbit's ambitious yet practical approach has attracted letters of intent from leading retailers, promising $42 million per year in business. The company's technology aligns with Transport Canada's vision for future aviation regulations and standards, providing valuable data to inform future policies.

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