The Isle of Wight will play host to a pioneering 6-month drone trial from August that will explore the future of logistics across the Solent.
Carried out by Inteliports, one of the UK’s leading drone operators, the trial aims to demonstrate the impact drones can have on the Isle of Wight, improving the community’s access to goods and decarbonising island logistics by creating a drone corridor to the mainland. The Isle of Wight council has assessed suitable sites within its control to help facilitate this opportunity and has made the decision to grant Inteliports a 6-month trial at Mornington Road Long Stay Carpark.
Funded by the Department for Transport and Connected Places Catapult, the partnership between Inteliports and the Isle of Wight Council is driven by a vision to introduce faster and greener supply methods to the island, reducing the community’s reliance on ferries alone.
Over the course of the trial, Inteliports will evaluate the commercial feasibility of multimodal operations with autonomous hubs, creating a collaborative link between Inteliports’ drones and e-bike couriers on the ground. It will assess the potential to establish a link between the mainland and the island, allowing businesses from the mainland to service the island and vice versa. Overall, the feasibility trial will be monitoring economic, social and environmental impacts.
Up to 6 flights a day each way will take place, during the daytime only. Inteliports are also under strict Civil Aviation Authority regulations to ensure compliance and safety of all flights. During this trial, all of Mornington Road carpark will be closed, from the 7th of August 2024 to 7th of February 2025.
David Park, Co-founder of Inteliports, said: “Selected as one of ten SMEs to receive a portion of £1.3 million from the DfT’s Freight Innovation Fund, Inteliports will be conducting technology trials with industry partners.”
“We are pleased to announce that our trials will be in collaboration with Vodafone and Pairpoint (Vodafone partnership with Sumitomo Corporation), we’re determined to showcase the viability of drone-integrated nodal logistics.”
“This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the pursuit of sustainable and efficient city logistics. Together, Inteliports and Vodafone are committed to driving innovation, improving customer experiences, and shaping the future of urban deliveries.”
Contact Information
Zoe Van Schoor
Communications and engagement officer
Isle of Wight Council
zoe.vanschoor@iow.gov.uk
