<div>
 <ul>
 <li>
 
 The drone-based delivery provider SkyDrop (formerly known as Flirtey) has extended its partnership with Domino&rsquo;s Pizza to launch the second stage of their commercial drone delivery trials in New Zealand this year.
 
 </li>
 </ul>
 <ul>
 <li>
 
 The trial will be operated by SkyDrop or a designated party, delivering pizza from a Domino&rsquo;s restaurant to customers&rsquo; homes. The exact location of the trials is not yet been disclosed.
 
 </li>
 </ul>
 
 &lt;ul&gt;&lt;li&gt;
 Analyst QuickTake:
 SkyDrop first partnered with Domino&rsquo;s 
 <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/flirtey-launches-worlds-first-pizza-by-drone-commercial-trials-delivers-dominos-pizza-to-customer-homes-300363785.html">
 in 2016
 </a>
 for its first phase of delivery trials, in which the company delivered pizza from a store in Aukland to a customer home by drone. In addition, SkyDrop has also conducted (or announced) trials in the US, Australia and more in New Zealand, in partnership with companies such as Mesa Air Group 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/6128">
 (October 2021),
 </a>
 Vault Health 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/38">
 (November 2020),
 </a>
 and 7-Eleven 
 <a href="https://corp.7-eleven.com/corp-press-releases/07-22-2016-7-eleven-teams-with-flirtey-for-first-ever-faa-approved-drone-delivery-to-customer-s-home">
 (July 2016).
 </a>
 Even though SkyDrop is Domino&rsquo;s only drone-based delivery partner, it has also conducted trials in partnership with other droid/autonomous delivery vehicle companies in the space including 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/454812">
 Nuro
 </a>
 in Texas (June 2019; extended 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/113">
 in April 2021),
 </a>
 Ford Motors in Michigan and Florida 
 <a href="https://media.ford.com/content/fordmedia/fna/us/en/news/2017/08/29/dominos-ford-begin-research-pizza-delivery.html">
 (August 2017
 </a>
 and 
 <a href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dominos-and-ford-begin-second-round-of-self-driving-delivery-vehicle-testing-in-miami-300604936.html">
 February 2018
 </a>
 , respectively), and 
 <a href="https://sp-edge.com/companies/338944">
 Starship Technologies
 </a>
 in the Netherlands 
 <a href="https://www.starship.xyz/press_releases/starship-technologies-launches-pilot-program-with-dominos-pizza-enterprises/">
 (March 2017).
 </a>
 &lt;/ul&gt;
 
</div>

<div>
 
 <a href="https://www.suasnews.com/2022/01/dominos-signs-deal-with-skydrop-to-launch-next-stage-of-commercial-drone-delivery-in-new-zealand/">
 sUAS News
 </a>
 
 
 <a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/dominos-pizza-to-trial-second-phase-of-drone-delivery-in-new-zealand/YXUCPOIGL5C5DOBJDXY34PT6YQ/">
 NZ Herald
 </a>
 
</div>

Last-mile Delivery Automation

SkyDrop partners with Domino’s to start commercial drone-based delivery trials in New Zealand

ANALYST_QUICK_TAKE

INCUMBENTS_PRESENT

PROMINENT_CATEGORY

<div>
 Serve Robotics, a droid-based delivery services provider, has intensified its collaboration with Magna International, an automotive supplier. Magna is now the sole manufacturer of Serve's delivery robots as a result of this partnership expansion.
 This partnership expansion is anticipated to aid Serve's objective of deploying up to 2,000 robots across the US using the <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/18949">Uber Eats platform.</a>
 Such an extension stems from a previous licensing agreement that gave Magna permission to leverage Serve's groundbreaking technology to create unique robotic products.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Today’s news comes from Serve Robotics announcing a <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/28563"> USD 40 million public offering </a> and uplisting on Nasdaq transitioning from the <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/28563"> OTCQB Venture Market </a> where it was previously listed. The company intended to use the funds partially to expand the manufacturing of its droids. On a separate note, rival droid maker <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/companies/1327780"> Carkten </a> also has <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/12853"> a September 2022 partnership </a> with Magna International to produce its droids.

Serve Robotics appoints Magna International as exclusive manufacturer of delivery droids

<div>
 Pipedream Labs, a company specializing in the development of underground robotic delivery systems, has secured a seed funding of USD 13 million. The funding round was led by Starship Ventures, with additional participation from Cortado Ventures, and Myelin Ventures, among others. This funding round has increased the total funding for the company to USD 22.5 million.
 The newly raised capital will primarily be invested in the expansion of the company’s Instant Pickup systems, for which there are already more than 100 preorders. Additionally, Pipedream has plans of establishing an extensive middle-mile underground delivery network on a large scale within this year. The company expects this network to be operational by next spring, which is from March to June.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Pipedream Labs is the only startup in the last-mile logistics space that offers autonomous underground delivery services. Today’s fundraising marks the second time the company has raised funds within six months, following the <a href="https: 
//www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/2000144/000156761923007648/xslFormDX01/primary_doc.xml"> USD 9.5 million raise </a> in venture capital in November 2023.

Pipedream Labs raises USD 13 million in seed funding to scale deliveries and establish underground delivery network

<div>
 Chinese startup Whale Dynamic, specializing in developing autonomous delivery vehicles (ADVs), has entered into a partnership with Fixposition, a Swiss firm providing high-precision positioning technology. 
 The collaboration entails the integration of Fixposition’s Vision-RTK 2 sensor into Whale Dynamic's autonomous driving system. This will allow for accurate positioning even in challenging environments.
 The aim of this partnership is to address the common navigation issues encountered in areas with blocked global navigation satellite system signals. By using Fixposition's sensor, consistent and accurate positioning is ensured, thereby improving the dependability and versatility of Whale Dynamic's autonomous driving solutions.
</div>

Whale Dynamic partners with Fixposition to integrate high-precision positioning technology to ADVs

<div>
 Amazon has ended its drone delivery services in Lockeford, California, yet will still operate in College Station, Texas and plans to expand to Tolleson, Arizona later this year. The reasons for discontinuing the service in Lockeford haven't been explicitly stated; however, assurance is given that all affected employees will be provided with other roles within the company. 
 The next location for these drone delivery services is Tolleson, a city with a population of more than 7,000. This move is just a fragment of Amazon’s larger strategy of enabling same-day deliveries. The approach combines hybrid fulfillment centers and delivery stations in specific areas to achieve this goal. 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Amazon Prime Air has been developing drones for years and first conducted delivery trials <a href="https: 
//techcrunch.com/2016/12/14/amazons-prime-air-delivery-uk/"> in Cambridge, UK </a> , in late 2016 before officially expanding the service to the US market later. It commenced drone-based delivery services for Amazon Prime customers in the US in <a href="https: 
//thehill.com/homenews/3786630-amazon-begins-drone-deliveries-in-2-u-s-cities/"> December 2022 </a> and was available in <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/11672"> College Station </a> and <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/11050"> Lockeford. </a>

Amazon ends drone-based delivery services in Lockeford, California; to launch service in Tolleson, Arizona

<div>
 
 Zipline, a drone delivery service, recently reached a significant achievement of 1 million commercial drone deliveries. The company's drones have covered over 70 million miles on four different continents, delivering over 10 million products.
 The company recently received approval for their advanced onboard perception system, which allows drones to <a href="https://sp-edge.com/updates/21969"> operate outside visual line of sight </a> (BVLOS). This major step forward will allow for further expansion in the US. 
 Zipline will roll out their new Platform 2 (P2) system to an estimated 30 million people in 10 states. This expansion will be undertaken in collaboration with Flynn Group-owned Panera Bread, Memorial Hermann Health System, and Jet’s Pizza, starting with deliveries in the greater Seattle, Houston, and Detroit metro areas.
 
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Zipline has shown significant growth in delivery services over the past years, particularly in sectors like retail, agriculture, and healthcare. The company unveiled its latest P2 drone-based delivery system <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/17088"> in March 2023 </a> and has so far partnered with companies including <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/26824"> WellSpan Health, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/23269"> Cleveland Clinic, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/22366"> Mendocino Farms, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/20650"> OhioHealth, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/18411"> GNC, Pagliacci, Associated Couriers, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/17298"> Sweetgreen, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/17160"> Michigan Medicine, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/17088"> MultiCare Health Systems, Intermountain Health, and the Government of Rwanda </a> , in addition to the partners the company is deploying the system with today.

Zipline completes a million commercial drone-based deliveries; is to launch the latest P2 delivery platform in the US

<div>
 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. 
 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. 
 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".
 </div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 Serve Robotics debuted on the OTCQB Venture Market in March 2024, and announced plans for a <a href="https: 
//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.

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

<div>
 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.
 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.
 
</div>

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

<div>
 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.
 This expansion is aimed at broadening Wayve's global reach and enhancing its access to skilled professionals.
 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.

</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 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: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/17735"> Asda </a> and online grocer <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/updates/5854"> Ocado. </a>

Wayve to establish new R&D center in Vancouver

<div>
 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.
 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.
 The partnership is intended to develop drone delivery networks for the transportation of essential goods across areas with limited accessibility.
</div> Analyst QuickTake: 
 <a href="https: 
//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: 
//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: 
//sp-edge.com/companies/69024"> Zipline, </a> <a href="https: 
//sp-edge.com/companies/207075"> Matternet, </a> and <a href="https: 
//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.

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

<div>
 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.
</div>

All Updates