Bell and Yamato announce strategic collaboration to transform on-demand delivery service

 Bell Helicopter and Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. announced their strategic collaboration for the future of civilian aerial logistics. Together they aspire to be a global leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) logistics and plan to do so by collaborating to integrate innovative autonomous unmanned vehicle systems and package handling systems to create an exceptional customer experience for on-demand logistics services. They expect to introduce their initial product into service by mid-2020s.

“In the past few years, our Bell team has renewed focus on novel innovative solutions to better serve our operators globally, and we are excited to use our expertise to redefine the practice of civilian logistics,” said Scott Drennan, Bell’s vice president of Innovation. “Through this joint effort, we are eager to set a new precedent for on-demand delivery and future large-scale logistics.”  

For the initial demonstration activities, Bell will lead the design, development and production of its Autonomous Pod Transport (APT), and Yamato will develop a customized detached pod, highlighting future ground-handling capabilities.  The companies’ goal is to demonstrate the integration of the existing ground logistics network with vertical lift capabilities to provide new and innovative services to their customers.

“We have provided logistics services for almost a century and are excited to invest in future services with next-generation technical solutions in collaboration with Bell to provide higher quality deliveries to our customers,” said Shinji Makiura, Yamato’s Management Executive Officer of innovation and business strategy.

Bell’s APT utilizes a tail-sitting eVTOL configuration and an innovative payload pod. The eVTOL can reach speeds of more than 100mph and can be small enough to handle loads up to 15 pounds, or large enough to transport 1,000 pounds. The APT capability enables a whole new level of expedited service and operational efficiency.

Yamato Holdings is a holding company of Yamato Group which contains Yamato Transport providing TA-Q-BIN courier service, Yamato Logistics providing logistics services to corporate clients, and other affiliate companies providing various services, such as information system, settlement, and lifestyle support. Since its founding in 1919, the company has introduced two innovations in Japan: the first was route deliveries and the second was TA-Q-BIN. For its 100th anniversary in 2019, the third innovation “Value Networking” Design has begun and the company will contribute not only to individual customers but also to the business competitiveness of corporate clients. The company promotes “Project G (government)”, an initiative that cooperates with local governments across Japan for local revitalization, while its global strategies include the development of the TA-Q-BIN service in Asian countries and construction of cross border network for parcel delivery in Asia. The company continues to create new values by integrating functions of the group companies into the TA-Q-BIN network.