Canada’s Federal Department of Transportation has signed a CA$1.3 million (US$970,000) deal with a new cargo airline to begin test flights of its self-flying aircraft.
Transportation Canada and the Innovative Solutions Canada fund have purchased a self-flying aircraft Ribbitan airline that develops software for unmanned cargo flights.
The company has completed over 200 hours of hands-free flight in a two-seat aircraft and developed autonomous flight programs.
Ribbit will provide the aircraft, along with a remote crew and maintenance, to support cargo flights in rural northern Canada for a year.
In addition to providing a solution for rural supply chains, Transport Canada will use the data collected to inform future aviation regulations, standards and policies.
Ribbit CEO Carl Pigeon stated, “Many rural and remote areas are served by larger aircraft that fly infrequently. Ribbit takes a smaller plane and uses autonomy to drastically change that plane’s unit economy. This allows us to offer a reliable next-day or two-day service and improve supply chains.”
Ribbit was founded in 2020 and received a special flight operations certificate in 2022, allowing unmanned flights.
The company said it is initially focusing on shipping time-sensitive goods to northern Canada, “where 54 million kilograms of food are sold annually.”
COO Jeremy Wang said, “We have worked with the government, community and private partners to ensure this technology meets a real need. We’re excited to enable a future where everyone can send and receive goods quickly and reliably, no matter where they are.”
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