Delhivery, the country’s largest integrated logistics company, has completed a successful field demonstration of its autonomous Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) drone in Deoria, Uttar Pradesh. The test was conducted by Delhivery Robotics India Private Limited, the company’s drone manufacturing subsidiary, in the presence of Shashank Mani, Hon’ble Member of Parliament from Deoria.
During the live trial, the drone transported a medical payload over a programmed 12 km route entirely on its own. A journey that typically takes close to 40 minutes by road was completed in nearly 12 minutes, showcasing the potential of drone-based logistics to strengthen last-mile delivery in remote and hard-to-access regions.
Shri Mani noted that Uttar Pradesh is emerging as a hub for innovation and industrial growth, adding that such advanced technology initiatives can significantly improve quality of life for rural citizens. He emphasized that the demonstration aligns with the region’s vision of building a digitally connected, future-ready district under Project Amrit Prayas.
The featured aircraft is part of Delhivery’s in-house prototype fleet, designed to operate in diverse Indian conditions. The drone can carry up to 5 kg across 60–90 km on one charge and uses a hybrid configuration—lifting off vertically and transitioning to fixed-wing flight for greater efficiency. A higher-capacity model, capable of handling up to 20 kg, is currently in development with increased domestic component integration.
Nikhil Ummat, Head of Engineering at Delhivery, stated that the platform has been engineered to address India’s varied terrain and infrastructure constraints, enabling time-sensitive shipments to reach customers far faster than traditional road transport. Deoria was selected for the pilot due to its mix of dense settlements and remote rural areas, making it ideal for aerial delivery use cases.
The company also highlighted that the drone ecosystem will generate new employment opportunities, including roles for operators, maintenance specialists, and ground support teams—particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 regions.
Delhivery is India’s largest integrated logistics provider, serving more than 18,850 pin codes with services spanning express parcels, PTL and TL freight, cross-border solutions, supply chain operations, and technology-enabled logistics. The company has fulfilled over 4 billion shipments and works with more than 48,000 customers, including e-commerce platforms, SMEs, and major enterprises.
Delhivery Robotics, a wholly owned subsidiary, is focused on developing scalable and reliable unmanned aerial systems to shape the future of autonomous logistics in India.
