EuroUSC Italia Leads the European Di-Pegasus Project to Test New Drone and Air Taxi Fleets Technologies and to Develop a Platform for Assessing the Feasibility and Impact of such Innovations.
Di-Pegasus (Digital competitive next generation aviation technologies for sustainable business models, products and services) is the first European project coordinated by EuroUSC Italia, an Italian leading consulting company for drone services.
The transport sector is one of the main sources of CO2 emissions in Europe and the main cause of air pollution in cities. To achieve climate neutrality within the timeframe set by the European Green Deal, the Di-Pegasus project focuses on innovative air transport solutions, including unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and fast, flexible traditional options like seaplanes. The goal is to make travel more sustainable, efficient and safe for both passengers and goods, while improving urban mobility and connections between neighboring cities.
Di-PEGASUS aims to achieve autonomous, economic and ecological operations for seaplanes, VTOL (vertical take-off and landing aircraft) and drones, through technologies to be developed during the project, both for air and ground transportation.
The first tests for the use of drone fleets in Emilia-Romagna
The first Italian case study will be conducted in Emilia-Romagna to explore the possibility of delivering goods more efficiently and quickly using drone fleets. This initiative focuses on reducing car journeys for urgent deliveries in urban and suburban areas, replacing them with autonomous drones that will fly at specific times and on specific routes.
Marco Ducci, project leader of Di-Pegasus and CEO at EuroUSC Italia, emphasized: “Drone delivery is becoming a reality, but there are still several technological challenges before these applications can become widespread. For example, there is a lack of systems that can manage hundreds of drones simultaneously, thus allowing the operator to efficiently monitor operations and guarantee the safety of people flown over“.
The Italian case study is exploring the delivery of goods using drones, from industrial and suburban areas of cities to micro-hubs located in the cities centers themselves. This is just one of the possible solutions and the project is eager to consider different proposals from operators, airports and couriers as well.
Last month, on May 17th, stakeholders from different backgrounds met in Bologna for a Workshop to discuss the technical objectives in plan. Drawing on the data emerging from the meeting, the partners will begin developing the technologies envisioned by the project, with a target completion date of the end of 2026. The results will then be evaluated through focus groups and ad hoc surveys targeting stakeholders and end users.
Marco Ducci concluded: “The unknown often ignites fears, especially when it comes to new technologies. Therefore, it will be essential to explain the nature of the innovations tested and to illustrate their benefits, involving all stakeholders, from citizens to decision-makers. This approach is particularly important in the context of Emilia-Romagna, where the technologies for last mile delivery services will be tested”.
A key component for evaluating these technologies’ business models will be a custom-built digital platform that analyzes their feasibility in specific contexts. To guide decision-makers and stakeholders, various performance indicators will be assessed, including cost-effectiveness, jobs creation, emissions reduction and investment options. The platform will also examine regulatory compliance, outline a safety assessment process and identify any gaps that need filling.
Public opinion and how these means of transportation affect society, the economy and the environment will also be factored. Finally, studies will focus on both potential investments in new infrastructures, such as vertiports, and the possibility of adapting existing facilities.
The role of EuroUSC ITALIA
EuroUSC Italia, together with the other Italian partners – Deep Blue, RINA Consulting SpA, Interconsulting Engineering srl and Istituto Trasporti e Logistica – will work to identify and define a process that allows innovation to go hand in hand with the consent of the communities on which the introduction of these new technologies will have an impact.
Involvement and active participation of all the stakeholders will be a key action during the initial and the start-up phases of the technologies, to avoid a top-down approach. This will be especially relevant in Emilia-Romagna where technologies for last mile delivery services will be tested.
EuroUSC Italia will also develop guidelines to ensure high quality technical and research work; it will have to identify risks and take corrective actions, if necessary, in order to ensure compliance with existing ethical standards and guidelines.
