Chennai: In a significant step toward transforming urban logistics, Amber Wings played a key role as Federal Express Corporation (FedEx) and Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) successfully completed India’s first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru.
The trials, conducted under the research framework of the FedEx SMART Centre at IIT Madras, highlight a strong commitment to building next-generation, technology-driven supply chains, with Amber Wings emerging as a crucial implementation partner.
The initiative validated a mid-mile aerial logistics service connecting Electronic City Phase II with the vicinity of Kempegowda International Airport.
Also Read: Garuda Aerospace Launches Drone Battery Manufacturing Facility in Chennai
By leveraging aerial corridors, the project significantly reduced delivery time, transforming a typical 60-minute road journey spanning 53 km into a 39–42 km drone flight completed in approximately 21 minutes.
Amber Wings: Drone Technology Can Enhance Efficiency in Urban Logistics Networks
Technical operations during the trials were conducted at an altitude of 120 metres and incorporated advanced safety protocols. These included autonomous flight termination, return-to-home capabilities, and anti-collision lighting systems.
The flights were executed in close coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), ensuring regulatory compliance and operational safety. The successful deployment further underscores the reliability and precision of systems supported by Amber Wings.
Commenting on the milestone, Nitin Navneet Tatiwala, Vice President – Marketing, Customer Experience, and Air Network, Middle East, Indian Subcontinent, and Africa (MEISA), FedEx, said, “This milestone reflects the FedEx SMART Centre’s research agenda across air cargo optimization and sustainable supply chain ecosystems.” His statement reinforces the broader strategic vision behind integrating drone-based logistics, where Amber Wings contributes to enabling scalable solutions.
Prof. Satyanarayanan R. Chakravarthy of IIT Madras emphasized the technological advancement brought by aerial robotics, stating that such integration represents a leap forward in developing progressive, high-impact logistics solutions.
The collaboration demonstrates how Amber Wings, alongside academic and industry leaders, is driving innovation in India’s logistics ecosystem.
Further highlighting the long-term implications, Prof. Arshinder Kaur, Professor-in-Charge of the FedEx SMART Centre, said, “The high-speed drone-delivery trials are a strong demonstration of the centre’s commitment to driving innovation across modern supply chains and accelerating cutting-edge technologies.”
The involvement of Amber Wings in this initiative signals the growing role of deep-tech startups in shaping the future of supply chain infrastructure.
The project was implemented in partnership with Amber Wings, an IIT Madras-incubated deep-tech startup, reinforcing how Amber Wings is at the forefront of advancing drone-enabled logistics solutions in India.
