The Canary completed 3 round trips on the Care by Air route, which measures 13.4km, in accordance with the Canadian Aviation Regulations.
The 3rd flight was completed in wind conditions which would have been unsuitable for the Sparrow, which DDC says highlights the improved flight dynamics of the Canary over the Sparrow.
Compared to the older Sparrow, the Canary completed the trip 9% faster with 42% lower battery power consumption and reduced noise levels by 46%.
The Canary flew the same route as the Sparrow and future routes will be more efficient because it can fly over people, which will allow for more direct routes, reducing flight time and improving utilisation.
Calling the flights a significant milestone, Steve Magirias, CEO of Drone Delivery Canada, says, “We are incredibly proud of our team's dedication and innovation, which has allowed us to push the boundaries of what's possible in the realm of drone logistics. The Canary's impressive performance demonstrates its immense potential to revolutionise healthcare supply chains and make a tangible difference in people's lives.”
The Canary has an enhanced design, performance and technology including a payload of up to 4.5kg, a range of greater than 20km, real-time communication and tracking systems, an integrated scale and requires 50% fewer batteries than the Sparrow.