Canadian Government Plans Autonomous Cargo Flights with Significant Investments

Startup autonomous cargo airline Ribbit has secured financial backing from the Canadian Government.

Transport Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada have issued Ribbit a C$1.3m contract to begin flying autonomous aircraft that will improve supply chains to remote northern communities in the country, said the company in a LinkedIn post.

“From perishable foods to medical supplies and other time-sensitive goods, we are excited to take this next step in our mission to make fast and reliable transportation available to all,” said Ribbit,

Ribbit said it will equip Transport Canada with a single optionally piloted fixed-wing airplane along with remote crew and maintenance services to sustain autonomous cargo flights for a one-year period

The Government of Canada will then collect operational data in a bid to help drive evidence-based aviation regulations, standards, and policy.

Ribbit will fly in both urban areas (with an onboard safety pilot) and rural and remote regions (remotely piloted) along the same routes where it has signed agreements with retailers and wholesalers.

The company said it has already been issued a Special Flight Operations Certificate for flight testing without a pilot on board, and will expand on these approvals for operations along select routes in remote areas.

There are a number of other drone companies worldwide that are currently developing technology to prepare for operations.

In June, Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) announced that Transport Canada had accepted the company’s declaration for its “Canary” remote piloted aircraft (RPA) to be operated over people.