<div>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        The drone-based delivery provider Flirtey has rebranded its business name to SkyDrop.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <ul>
    <li>
      <p>
        SkyDrop will shift its business model to be an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of drone delivery systems, with a focus on selling related hardware and licensing autonomous software and patents to drone operators. The company will also operate its own drone-based delivery system in certain markets.
      </p>
    </li>
  </ul>
  <p>
    &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
    <b>Analyst QuickTake: </b>
    Before today&rsquo;s announcement of the shift in its business model, Skydrop operated its own system and conducted trials and commercial deliveries as a service in the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Its peer startup 
    <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/465176">
      Wingcopter
    </a>
     too can be seen following a similar business model, acting as both an OEM and a delivery-as-a-service provider.&lt;/ul&gt;
  </p>
  <p>
  </p>
</div>


<div>
  <p>
    <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flirtey-announces-new-brand-skydrop-301468330.html">
      Press Release
    </a>
  </p>
</div>


Last-mile Delivery Automation

Flirtey rebrands business name to SkyDrop

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

<div>
 <p>Delivery service company Serve Robotics has initiated a public offering, planning to sell 10 million shares at $4 each. The goal is to generate $40 million before expenses. Postmates, a segment of Uber, is a significant shareholder in this offering.</p> 
 <p>Serve intends to allocate the raised funds towards the advancement of research and development for new robot models, broadening its manufacturing capacity, looking into potential new geographic markets, and bolstering general corporate finances. </p>
 <p>Starting from April 18, 2024, Serve's common stock will be available for trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker "SERV". This signifies a shift from its previous listing on the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/27380"> OTCQB Venture Market </a> under the ticker "SBOT".</p>
 </div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> Serve Robotics debuted on the OTCQB Venture Market in March 2024, and announced plans for a <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/27442"> Nasdaq uplisting </a> soon after. With this listing, Serve Robotics became the only droid maker in the Last-mile Delivery Automation space to go public.</p>

Serve Robotics announces USD 40 million public offering and uplisting on Nasdaq

<div>
 <p>Air-taxi and drone logistics company, Skyports, headquartered in the UK, has successfully raised GBP 88.3 million (USD 110 million) in its Series C funding round. The main investor in this round was Concesiones de Infraestructuras, a subsidiary of ACS Group, with additional funding from investors, including Groupe ADP.</p>
 <p>Skyports plans to use this funding to establish a site in Dubai, with the launch of air-taxi services planned for 2026. The company further intends to set up four vertiports in strategic locations around Dubai, such as near the international airport and the downtown area.</p>
 
</div>

Skyports raises USD 110 million in Series C funding to launch airtaxi operations in Dubai

<div>
 <p>British autonomous-driving tech startup, Wayve, is launching a new R&amp;D center in Vancouver, Canada. This will be the company's second North American facility and third globally, complementing their London and Mountain View, California offices.</p>
 <p>This expansion is aimed at broadening Wayve's global reach and enhancing its access to skilled professionals.</p>
 <p>Vancouver was chosen for its budding reputation as a tech hub, its close proximity to Seattle, and the presence of major tech corporations such as Microsoft and Amazon. In addition, Vancouver’s encouraging immigration policies and nurturing environment for AI and innovation played considerable roles in Wayve's decision.</p>

</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> Wayve's technology uses AI to autonomously learn driving rules and behaviors instead of being pre-programmed, enhancing its adaptability to new environments and unpredictable situations. The company has trialed the tech in partnership with British grocery retailer <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/17735"> Asda </a> and online grocer <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/5854"> Ocado. </a></p>

Wayve to establish new R&D center in Vancouver

<div>
 <p>German drone delivery provider, Wingcopter, in collaboration with Japanese trading company, ITOCHU Corporation, has started the certification process for its Wingcopter 198 delivery drone in Japan. This marks a first for both a foreign firm and a fixed-wing drone under Japan's drone certification standards.</p>
 <p>Upon approval, Wingcopter will be permitted to operate drone flights beyond the line of sight in populated areas. This would set the stage for commercial drone delivery operations in Japan, a crucial market due to its aging populace and challenging geographical conditions.</p>
 <p>The partnership is intended to develop drone delivery networks for the transportation of essential goods across areas with limited accessibility.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
 </b> <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/9423"> In March 2022, </a> Wingcopter received funds from ITOCHU and partnered with the same to obtain distribution and technical support for Wingcopter’s delivery drones in Japan. This initiative to obtain approvals in Japan can be seen as a part of its efforts to strengthen its presence in the drone-based delivery sector, including <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/10338"> seeking certification in the US, </a> which would help the company expand its commercial operations globally. Furthermore, Japan has been a market of interest recently, with several peer companies, including <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/69024"> Zipline, </a> <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/207075"> Matternet, </a> and <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/companies/865738"> Skyports </a> , that are tapping into the market in partnership with third parties. This is partially due to the Japanese Government actively recognizing the potential of drones.</p>

Wingcopter applies for type certification process in for drone-based deliveries in Japan

<div>
 <p>Kiwibot, the delivery droid developer, has purchased Auto Mobility Solutions, a Taipei-based chip manufacturer specializing in robotics and autonomous driving. This acquisition is inspired by the growing geopolitical tensions between the US and China, serving as a strategic maneuver to establish Kiwibot's presence in Asia and bolster its cybersecurity practices. Through the incorporation of China-sourced technologies into Western markets, Kiwibot anticipates a strengthened market position.</p>
</div>

Kiwibot acquires Auto Mobility Solutions to strengthen market postion

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 <p>Alphabet's self-driving tech division, Waymo, has expanded its collaboration with Uber's food delivery branch, Uber Eats, to provide autonomous food delivery in certain parts of Phoenix, Arizona. This service will be available to Uber Eats customers in selected Phoenix areas, such as Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler. They will be given the choice to have their orders delivered by a Waymo driverless vehicle. To facilitate automatic deliveries, Waymo and Uber have teamed up with food retailers including local favorites like Princess Pita, Filiberto's, and BoSa Donuts.</p>
</div>

Waymo and Uber Eats extends partnership to offer autonomous food deliveries in Arizona

<div>
 <p>DroneUp, a provider of drone-based delivery services, has announced a strategic partnership with drone technology firm Blueflite. The partnership aims to utilize Blueflite's advanced drone technologies for DroneUp's newly unveiled <a href="https://www.blueflite.com/blueflite-and-droneup-partner-to-bring-advanced-commercial-drone-capabilities-to-ensure-fast-safe-and-reliable-delivery/"> autonomous ecosystem </a>.</p>
 <p>As a part of the collaboration, Blueflite will act as the drone design partner for DroneUp's ecosystem. They will offer their speed and storage-enabled drones for executing deliveries within a 15 m radius for partnered vendors.</p>
 <p>DroneUp is planning to roll out the Ecosystem in selected markets by the year 2024.</p>
</div>

DroneUp partners with Blueflite to power autonomous drone ecosystem

<div>
 <p>DroneUp, a provider of drone delivery services, has unveiled a new autonomous ecosystem comprising automated ground infrastructure, a set of software operating systems, and an autonomous drone platform.</p>
 <p>This ecosystem features “DBX,” a ground system that allows autonomous package pick-up and delivery. DBX can handle climate-controlled package management, package returns, and storage and delivery in urban areas and multi-dwelling communities.</p>
 <p>The software systems of DroneUp include features like autonomous flight planning and control, allowing a single operator to manage multiple drones. It also provides increased speed and precision in package pick-up, digital maps, and advanced flight coordination features.</p>
 <p>The latest drone platform includes onboard charging, expanded service coverage, and a maximum speed of 60 mph. It utilizes onboard vertical clearance sensing to establish the drone’s height above barriers and is designed with a claw-like package grasper for aerial drops or winch up to 120 ft. The platform boasts low noise emission and a weight-carrying capacity that surpasses industry standards.</p>
 <p>Thus far, DroneUp has implemented the ecosystem in Virginia Beach and Dallas, Texas, and aims to broaden its service by late 2024.</p>

</div>

DroneUp launches proprietary autonomous ecosystem ​​

<div>
 <p>A drone delivery division called Wing, which falls under Alphabet's operations, is deepening its ties with DoorDash, a prominent food delivery service based in America. The two are teaming up to institute food deliveries via drone in the US.</p>
 <p>The business venture is kicking off in Christiansburg, Virginia—which has an estimate of 23,000 residents—as an initial launch point. It’s carrying out the service using its inaugural restaurant collaborator, Wendy’s. Clients on DoorDash’s platform that meet qualification requirements have the option to select specific Wendy’s menu choices and choose drone delivery as they check out their orders. The drone delivery promises the arrival of ordered items to customers within a span of “30 minutes.”</p>
 <p>Both firms have plans to proliferate their service to multiple other US cities as the year progresses.</p>
</div> <p><b>Analyst QuickTake:<br>
</b> DoorDash and Wing first partnered <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/14363"> in November 2022 </a> to offer drone-based food deliveries to the latter’s customers in Queensland, Australia—the country where Wing’s primary operations are based. <a href="https:<br>
//sp-edge.com/updates/17859"> In April 2023, </a> the duo expanded the service to include Ipswich, Australia. Today's expansion marks a significant leap toward expanding DoorDash’s drone-based delivery service in the US.</p>

Aplhabet’s Wing expands partnership with DoorDash to launch drone-based food deliveries in US

<div>
 <p>The cargo drone manufacturer, Dronamics, located in both the UK and Bulgaria, has procured a EUR 10 million (USD 10.9 million) equity investment from the European Innovation Council (EIC).</p>
 <p>The company intends to allocate the funds for initiating commercial operations this year, commencing from Greence, following the conclusion of its flight test program.</p>
</div>

All Updates

Serve Robotics announces USD 40 million public offering and uplisting on Nasdaq

Skyports raises USD 110 million in Series C funding to launch airtaxi operations in Dubai

Wayve to establish new R&D center in Vancouver

Wingcopter applies for type certification process in for drone-based deliveries in Japan

Kiwibot acquires Auto Mobility Solutions to strengthen market postion

Waymo and Uber Eats extends partnership to offer autonomous food deliveries in Arizona

DroneUp partners with Blueflite to power autonomous drone ecosystem

DroneUp launches proprietary autonomous ecosystem

Aplhabet’s Wing expands partnership with DoorDash to launch drone-based food deliveries in US

Dronamics receives EUR 10 million from EIC to fast-track commercialization

All Updates

Serve Robotics announces USD 40 million public offering and uplisting on Nasdaq

Skyports raises USD 110 million in Series C funding to launch airtaxi operations in Dubai

Wayve to establish new R&D center in Vancouver

Wingcopter applies for type certification process in for drone-based deliveries in Japan

Kiwibot acquires Auto Mobility Solutions to strengthen market postion

Waymo and Uber Eats extends partnership to offer autonomous food deliveries in Arizona

DroneUp partners with Blueflite to power autonomous drone ecosystem

DroneUp launches proprietary autonomous ecosystem ​​

Aplhabet’s Wing expands partnership with DoorDash to launch drone-based food deliveries in US

Dronamics receives EUR 10 million from EIC to fast-track commercialization

DroneUp launches proprietary autonomous ecosystem