IONA

IONA Logistics is developing an autonomous drone delivery system aimed at improving logistics in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The company's drones are designed to be more energy-efficient than existing options, with extended range and larger cargo capacity. IONA's drone utilizes a new tilt rotor geometry that combines vertical take-off and landing with wing-borne flight, making it 5-10 times more energy efficient than alternatives in its category. The drone also offers 12 times more cargo volume compared to competitors. IONA's system is built using off-the-shelf components to improve costs, scalability, and modularity.

The company's drone delivery platform includes automated "IONA Hubs" that serve as pick-up and drop-off points, enabling unmanned battery swaps and parcel handling. This allows for a fully autonomous delivery network. IONA is developing an autonomous parcel dispatch and battery swap system to further enhance its capabilities. The drones can travel at speeds up to 126 km/h and have potential applications beyond package delivery, such as transporting medical supplies or emergency equipment like defibrillators to remote locations.

Key customers and partnerships

In September 2022, Scotland's Minister for Small Business, Trade, and Innovation voiced support for an IONA drone delivery trial in his constituency of Moray. The company is exploring use cases for medical supply chains and rural logistics. In 2023, IONA received GBP 1.96 million in funding from the UK Department for Transport as part of the Transport Research and Innovation Grant program to further develop its autonomous drone delivery technology for rural areas.