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Aerialoop’s Detroit Cargo Drone Pilot Advances Urban Logistics

Aerialoop’s Detroit Cargo Drone Pilot Advances Urban Logistics
Pioneering Urban Drone Delivery in Detroit
Aerialoop has initiated a groundbreaking urban drone logistics pilot in Detroit, developed in collaboration with Newlab, Michigan Central, Airspace Link, the Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification, and the Michigan Department of Transportation. This project marks a significant milestone for Michigan Central’s Advanced Aerial Innovation Region (AAIR), designed to demonstrate the commercial and logistical capabilities of middle-mile drone operations within a complex urban setting.
The pilot leverages AAIR’s shared infrastructure, including Newlab’s rooftop launch pad and Airspace Link’s digital airspace management systems. Aerialoop operates a one-mile round-trip drone route connecting Newlab at Michigan Central with The 23rd, a nearby repurposed industrial site that supports emerging hardware companies. With clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the drones fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) over an adjacent railroad corridor, transporting lightweight prototype parts manufactured at Newlab to facilitate local assembly processes.
Operational Achievements and Technological Integration
Aerialoop, a global leader in drone logistics with over 40,000 cargo delivery flights worldwide, was attracted to Detroit’s innovation ecosystem and secured funding through Michigan’s Advanced Aerial Mobility Activation Fund. As a member of Newlab, Aerialoop has benefited from extensive support in prototyping and aligning its pilot with Detroit’s evolving mobility landscape, enabling the company to concentrate on operational logistics and flight management.
To date, the company has completed more than 600 cargo flights at Michigan Central, covering over 360 miles—approximately the distance from Detroit to Baltimore—without contributing to traffic congestion or emissions in the Corktown neighborhood. Drone delivery is estimated to be five times more energy efficient than transporting equivalent cargo by electric vehicle on local streets.
Jose Barzallo, Director of Operations at Aerialoop, emphasized the importance of the pilot, stating, “This project has been an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate and integrate our technology into commercial airspace. Our highly capable and redundant drone system, combined with proprietary software, has been central to ensuring both the success and safety of operations. The seamless integration into the ecosystem created by our partners has made the path to flight faster and smoother, allowing us to operate to the highest safety standards.”
Airspace Link, a Detroit-founded FAA-approved UAS service supplier, provides the critical digital infrastructure for safe and compliant drone operations. Its cloud-based AirHub® Portal functions as the command center for deliveries, managing airspace coordination, flight planning, and regulatory compliance. By integrating with AAIR infrastructure, Airspace Link’s technology streamlines FAA approvals and ensures adherence to safety protocols within Detroit’s urban environment.
Challenges and Industry Context
Despite these technological advancements, Aerialoop’s Detroit pilot faces potential challenges, including regulatory complexities, public acceptance, and competition from other urban logistics providers. The increasing interest in drone delivery services is underscored by recent industry developments, such as Uber’s partnership with Flytrex, highlighting the intensifying race to develop autonomous logistics solutions. Competitors are likely to accelerate their own drone technology initiatives and forge new partnerships to strengthen their market positions.
Aerialoop’s pilot not only validates the feasibility of urban drone logistics but also underscores Detroit’s emerging role as a testing ground for next-generation mobility solutions amid a rapidly evolving industry landscape.

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