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Cartken

Cartken is a delivery robot developer that specializes in transporting items over small distances and within neighborhoods. The company's robots are outfitted with several sensors and cameras that allow them to stop on a dime to prevent collisions and choose the least hazardous routes. They also provide a quick deploy option that does not require integration, making it extremely simple to get started.

California-based Cartken, founded by ex-Google engineers, develops AI-powered autonomous delivery droids (called “Model C”) operated via machine learning, rule-based programming algorithms, and multiple cameras for safe navigation. The startup targets curbside pickup, local deliveries, and campus deliveries. The company emerged from stealth <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/110">in March 2021 </a>(founded in 2019).

Automation and robotics are finally creating solutions for the complexities of doorstep deliveries.

Last-mile Delivery Automation

California-based Cartken, founded by ex-Google engineers, develops AI-powered autonomous delivery droids (called “Model C”) operated via machine learning, rule-based programming algorithms, and multiple cameras for safe navigation. The startup targets curbside pickup, local deliveries, and campus deliveries. The company emerged from stealth <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/110">in March 2021 </a>(founded in 2019).Key customers and partnershipsCarkten has a product partnership with global contract manufacturer Magna International to manufacture its droids <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/12853">(September 2022).</a>The company’s deployment partners in the US include <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/110">REEF Technology </a>(for a trial in Miami, Florida), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/8498">AC Hotel Miami Dadeland, </a>Uber Eats (for deliveries in <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/15373">Miami </a>and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17895">Fairfax, Virginia), </a>and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11051">Grubhub </a>(for university deployments). Its deployment partners in other geographies include <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7943">Mitsubishi Electric </a>and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/26771">Uber Eats </a>(for deliveries in Japan), <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19843">DPD </a>(for deliveries in the UK), and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18951">REWE </a>(for deliveries in Germany).

Zing Drone Solutions offers an end-to-end drone delivery platform, which includes autonomous flight software and plug-and-play hardware. Drone pilots can team up with Zing to make deliveries with their own drones, while Zing undertakes the licensing and insuring of pilots. The company also sells two models of FAA-approved broadcast modules to pilots.As of March 2024, the company had operations in a test site in Sarasota, Florida, to demonstrate drone-based deliveries. It was mainly generating revenue through the sale of broadcast modules to pilots.&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsZing Drone Solutions has product partnerships with companies including 1) software company Airspace Link to integrate airspace awareness technology (December 2021); 2) air traffic navigation service provider Skyway Technologies to install route planning and air navigation solutions for operations in Florida and beyond (January 2022; conducted first flights in Montverde, Florida <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10175">in May 2022);</a> and 3) Arrive (formerly DroneDek; June 2020) and Valqari (August 2021) to obtain hardware and infrastructure.Funding and financialsZing Drone Solutions generated revenue of USD 40,847 and incurred a loss of USD 160,287 in 2023.

Zing Drone Delivery

DroneUp is a drone startup offering <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18602">drone-based last-mile delivery services</a> primarily pitched toward retail, food, and medical deliveries. The company has operations in the US (including Arkansas, Texas, Florida, Arizona, Virginia, Utah, and North Carolina) and potentially <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/11637">Europe.</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/25670">In January 2024,</a> it obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone-based deliveries in the US. DroneUp’s <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27920">proprietary autonomous ecosystem</a> consists of 1) “DBX,” a ground infrastructure system that enables autonomous pick-up and delivery of packages; 2) a suite of software systems that provide features such as autonomous flight planning and control that enable a single operator to operate multiple drones, enhanced speed and precision in package pick-up, and digitized maps; and 3) a drone platform that offers onboard charging, extended service coverage, and a speed of 60 mph.&nbsp; DroneUp’s complementary acquisitions in the space include AeroVista Innovations to provide full-service drone training to organizations (April 2020); Web Teks, a UAS software developer that had been a contractor for DroneUp <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/103">(March 2021)</a>; and AirMap, an airspace management software provider for drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/7177">(December 2021).</a>&nbsp;Key customers and partnershipsDroneUp has conducted drone-based deliveries in partnership with organizations including <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/10658">Walmart,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/161">NUAIR (Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance) and SUNY Upstate Medical University,</a> the City of Ontario and the real estate company <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/4266">Brookfield Properties,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17938">Riverside Health System,</a> <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/19264">Carilion Clinic,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23954">Chick-fil-A</a>.DroneUp also has product partnerships with companies including&nbsp;1) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/865380">A2Z Drone Delivery</a> to integrate the latter’s tethered freefall drone delivery technology into DroneUp’s drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/105">(March 2021)</a>2) South Korean company Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) to test drones using hydrogen fuel cell technology <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17671">(April 2023)</a>3) Irsi Automation to integrate airspace awareness tech into its drones <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18258">(May 2023)</a>&nbsp;4) Wonder Robotics to integrate precision technology for drone-based deliveries <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18344">(May 2023)</a>5) Blueflite, a drone technology company, to leverage Blueflite’s drones for DroneUp's autonomous ecosystem <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/28155">(April 2024)</a>Funding and financialsDroneUp received an undisclosed amount of funds from Walmart <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/167">in June 2021,</a> to develop a scalable last-mile delivery solution.

DroneUp

Agility Robotics develops a human-sized, bi-pedal robot called “Digit” designed for logistics applications primarily for warehouse automation, with plans to introduce the unit for last-mile delivery applications. It is the only company in the market with a product designed to look and move like a human, using two upper limbs to carry an item while moving around on two legs. The robot uses a head-mounted LiDAR system for its primary navigation and is able to navigate semi-autonomously, carrying weight up to 35 lbs. The robots can charge autonomously by connecting themselves to docking stations when needed and can be deployed without additional retrofitting.The company unveiled the second generation of Digit <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17182">in March 2023,</a> with plans to begin shipping to early customers in 2024 and a wider rollout in 2025 (price not disclosed). The company has a <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21927">manufacturing facility in Oregon</a> with the capacity to produce more than 10,000 robots per year.&nbsp;The company also offers <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27444">“Agility Arc,"</a> which is a cloud automation platform for deploying and managing Digit fleets. This is offered on a SaaS basis.Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/9899">In April 2022,</a> Agility Robotics raised USD 150 million in a Series B funding round led by DCVC and Playground Global to fast-track R&amp;D, ramp up production and delivery of its next-generation robot, and expand the team. In April 2022, Agility Robotics also received an undisclosed amount of funds from the Amazon Industrial Innovation Fund.&nbsp;Key competitors: None comparable (Agility Robotics is the only startup developing a humanoid robot for parcel delivery)

Agility Robotics

Manna Drone Delivery (Manna) provides drone delivery-as-a-service to restaurant chains, cloud kitchens, and online food delivery platforms. Using custom-developed aerospace-grade drones, it delivers directly from restaurants and centralized kitchens to consumer's homes. Its drones can fly at a speed of 60 mph, delivering within a range of 10 miles. The drones are also equipped with safety systems including a parachute that will automatically deploy and bring the aircraft to the ground in case of an emergency.In May 2021, Manna received the Irish Aviation Authority’s (IAA) <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/62">“Light UAS Operator Certificate” (LUC),</a> available under EU drone regulations and recognized across the EU. With the certification, Manna can self-authorize operations without the need for further approvals. The company also applied for a drone-based delivery services license in the UK <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/22174">in September 2023.</a>The services are offered via Manna’s mobile application, where restaurants can partner and list themselves for drone-based deliveries to their customers. As of March 2024, the company had completed 150,000+ deliveries to customers in Ireland (including Moneygall, Co Offaly, Oranmore, Co Galway, and in Blanchardstown and Balbriggan, Co Dublin) and the US <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">(Dallas, Texas).</a>Key customers and partnershipsIts notable partners include restaurant operators and retailers such as Flipdish, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/91">Just Eat,</a> Tesco, Camile Thai’s, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/106">Samsung Electronics,</a> Coca-Cola, <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/23388">Farmhouse Coffee &amp; Treasures, The Touring Chocolatie,</a> and <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27176">Boojum.</a>Funding and financials<a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/17122">In March 2023,</a> Manna received an undisclosed amount of funding from Coca-Cola HBC and entered into a strategic partnership with the same to expand its reach to the US market.&nbsp;

Manna Drone Delivery

TwinswHeel is an autonomous delivery droids manufacturer based in France. The company offers six droids under two ranges; 1) “ciTHy” series pitched toward logistics applications for private sites and cities and 2) “facTHory” series pitched toward factories and warehouses. The robots can be configured to either pair up and collaborate with a person and follow them while carrying the loads or to move autonomously in a mapped area. The robots are equipped with LiDAR, six 2D cameras, 3D camera, and sensors for navigation. The ciTHy series comprises the following three sizes that can be used for last-mile delivery applications:1. ciTHy S: Can carry loads of up to 110 lbs, pitched toward personal mobility.2. ciTHy M: Can carry loads of up to 330 lbs; pitched toward technicians and craftsmen to help carry loads.3. ciTHy L: Can carry loads of up to 660 lbs; pitched toward stores in city centers.Key customers and partnershipIn May 2019, the company conducted a trial run in partnership with the French supermarket chain Casino’s Franprix, where shoppers can pair up with the robot, making it follow them while shopping, and even carry items to the customer’s home.The company also manufactures droids on behalf of the autonomous droid operator LMAD (2021).

TwinswHeel

Some companies use AI/ML tech for autonomous navigation.  (e.g., Goggo Network, Drone Express, Wayve)"

Autonomous delivery solutions fall under Industry 4.0

The solutions are electric and eco-friendly

All three types of delivery automation facilitate efficient and environmentally friendly solutions

Refers to autonomous vehicles that use pedestrian walkways and travel a little faster than average walking speed (generally 3-6 miles an hour). These vehicles can usually carry up to around 20 lb. and use a camera, radar, and sensors to move autonomously. 

Cartken

Last-mile Delivery Automation

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Recent Updates

Cartken partners with Uber and Mitsubishi Electric to launch droid-based food deliveries in Japan

Cartken extends partnership with DPD to launch delivery droids in 10 cities in UK

Cartken to launch droid-based deliveries in Hamburg-Eimsbuttel For REWE’s customers

Cartken expands partnership with Uber Eats to bring sidewalk delivery robots to Virginia

Monthly News Summary (January 2023)

Monthly News Summary (January 2023)

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