# Air taxi firm Volocopter teams up with Schenker to deploy heavy-lift drones (HT Tech) > Schenker picked Volocopter after backing the nine-year-old startup's 87 million euro ($103 million) funding round in February. In total, Volocopter has raised 122 million euros from investors. # Air taxi firm Volocopter teams up with Schenker to deploy heavy-lift drones ## Schenker picked Volocopter after backing the nine-year-old startup's 87 million euro ($103 million) funding round in February. In total, Volocopter has raised 122 million euros from investors. Sept 21 2020, 15:16 IST ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook.png) ![Follow on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/follow-us-facebook-hover.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Share.png) ![Share](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Shareclicked.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp.png) ![Share on WhatsApp](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/whatsapp-hover.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter.png) ![Share on Twitter](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/twitter-hover.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook.png) ![Share on Facebook](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/facebook-hover.png) ![Bookmark](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmark.png) ![Bookmarked](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/Bookmarked.png) ![Volocopter has just started selling tickets to fly on its VoloCity air taxi, at 300 euros for a 15-minute spin.](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/img/2020/09/21/1600x900/2020-09-21T080537Z_1_LYNXNPEG8K0IO_RTROPTP_3_AVIATION-VOLOCOPTER-SINGAPORE_1600681310302_1600681365197.JPG) Volocopter has just started selling tickets to fly on its VoloCity air taxi, at 300 euros for a 15-minute spin. (REUTERS) ![Author Photo](https://images.hindustantimes.com/tech/static/revamp/images/png/HTTech-new-circle-logo.png) ### By REUTERS German aviation startup Volocopter has teamed up with logistics group DB Schenker to deploy its heavy-lift drones, in a project that will gather vital practical flying experience before its air taxis enter service. Volocopter is one of a fleet of startups developing battery-powered aircraft and, with full certification for its air taxi still a few years away, it wants to put its VoloDrone to work sooner. The remote-controlled drone can lift a load of up to 200 kilograms (440 lb) and has a range of 40 kilometres (25 miles), making it ideal for jobs such as delivering medicines to a hospital or dropping off components at a factory. Also read click here. "The logistics opportunity in the urban market is just as big as the passenger market," Volocopter CEO Florian Reuter said in an interview. And, while e-commerce giant Amazon and others have received U.S. approval to test drone deliveries to customers, the Volocopter-Schenker partnership is aimed at business-to-business. ALSO READ: GM explores market for electric 'flying cars' "When people associate logistics with drones they always think of the 3 kg, last-mile delivery to the doorstep," Reuter said. "It's the middle mile, not the last mile, that we are serving." "Drones are a technology that would allow us to rethink supply chains for city logistics," said Schenker CEO Jochen Thewes. "Our common goal is to have a commercial proof case up and running in 2021." Volocopter has just started selling tickets to fly on its VoloCity air taxi, at 300 euros for a 15-minute spin. Yet although the piloted aircraft has been put through its paces in demonstration flights, fans will have to wait until it enters commercial service. ALSO READ: Hyundai will make flying cars for Uber air taxi service Full certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is expected for the 18-rotor VoloCity air taxi towards the end of 2022. The VoloDrone, with a similar design, should follow in 2023, Reuter said. It will be possible to apply sooner for permits to fly the VoloDrone on a case-by-case basis - a task that can easily be handled by Schenker staff with basic training on a simulator. "Any Schenker employee in a distribution centre will be able to operate this," said Reuter. "It will be as common as having a driving licence." Catch all the Latest Tech News, Mobile News, Laptop News, Gaming news, Wearables News , How To News, also keep up with us on Whatsapp channel,Twitter, Facebook, Google News, and Instagram. 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