Drone Delivery Canada gets grant for clean energy transport

Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) has been awarded a grant of up to C$75,000 from the Downsview Aerospace Innovation and Research (DAIR) Green Fund for its clean energy drone delivery solution.

Funded by the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), the DAIR Green Fund provides financial support for collaborative projects that can demonstrate an impact on the future of aerospace through sustainable and green aviation technologies and solutions.

DDC intends for the funds to be used to help with operating costs for its Care by Air project with Halton Healthcare and DSV Air & Sea Canada.

The funds will also be used to manage costs associated with regulatory approvals required to progress towards beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.

BVLOS will allow for the operation of more complex routes with fewer human resources required as DDC seeks to add new project phases and route expansions.

“We are honoured to be selected as one of only eight organizations to receive the funding from the DAIR Green Fund. We look forward to utilizing the funding to further our BVLOS capabilities and approvals. The mission of the DAIR Green Fund aligns perfectly with our mission to develop and commercialize disruptive and sustainable innovations for our customers,” said Steve Magirias, chief executive of DDC.

“To meet our goal of becoming a net-zero economy, we must ensure that we are providing the new capabilities and technology for industries to easily make the transition. The DAIR Green Fund provides supports to businesses who are leading the charge in creating sustainable innovations that will help grow Canada’s aerospace industry,” said Filomena Tassi, minister responsible for the FedDev Ontario.

The Care by Air project will enable defined-route deliveries from DSV to Halton Healthcare’s Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital utilizing DDC’s Sparrow drone, its DroneSpot takeoff and landing zones and the Company’s proprietary FLYTE software. The solution will be used to transport a wide variety of healthcare goods including medical isotopes for cancer care (supplied from McMaster University) by cargo drones for the benefit of fast and efficient delivery to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital, located in Oakville, Ontario.