NEWS

Emqopter plans first regular flight with drones together with JOPP Automotive

Delivery DroneProjects

In Bad Neustadt the first urban scheduled flight with delivery drones is to take place. This is the goal of Emqopter and Jopp Automotive. The Company Jopp is a globally active automotive supplier based in Bad Neustadt, Northern Bavaria, where it operates three plants in close proximity to each other. According to the company, the transport of internal mail, spare parts and other small parts is currently very time-consuming and could be handled more easily and quickly by air. In a joint project, this is to be realized with drones, whereby the flight is completely autonomous. Top priority is given to fail-safe operation, which is implemented, for example, by using extensive sensor technology for obstacle detection and collision avoidance. Trained users should be able to intervene at any time during the flight. Similar applications have already been presented by Emqopter at the CeBIT and Hannover Fair.

The project will start with a drone with a total weight of over 5 kg and the regular transport of food from the canteen in Plant 1 to Plant 2 of JOPP in Bad Neustadt.

Emqopter thinks one step further: "We know of projects where drones can save lives, e.g. in the transport of medical supplies. With this project, we want to show that the technology is even safer than the autonomous driving that has recently become possible on test tracks in Bavaria. In this way we are opening the way for new ideas."

JOPP also became involved as a shareholder in Emqopter with the starting signal for this development in the course of a capital increase. Some new jobs are to be created shortly. With the participation of JOPP in Emqopter, JOPP strengthens its competences in the field of electronics and sensor technology with the know-how of Emqopter.

As a partner of the automobile manufacturers, JOPP develops gear shifting systems, shift handles and plastic assemblies and produces these worldwide. JOPP produces precision turned and sintered parts as well as electronic assemblies and leather parts for the interior for suppliers to the automotive industry. With almost 2,000 employees, the group of companies currently achieves an annual turnover of approximately 220 million euros at 11 locations worldwide.