Initial discussions envision DRONEDEK executing up to $50 million in product purchase orders with units expected by the second quarter of 2022
Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has announced that it has entered into a formal agreement with Indianapolis-based DRONEDEK Corporation to design, develop and produce DRONEDEK smart mailbox units for worldwide distribution. DRONEDEK is one of the first companies in the world to patent a smart mailbox designed for secure drone delivery.
Initial discussions envision DRONEDEK executing up to $50 million in product purchase orders with units expected by the second quarter of 2022.
Anandi Ramalingam, Chairman & Managing Director, BEL, said, “We are always raising the bar on our technical offerings, and we want to continue to be a company of firsts. The DRONEDEK opportunity presents BEL a new vertical in the changing landscape of worldwide, last-mile logistics, one in which we will be able to put a stake in the ground and build on.”
DRONEDEK said in a release that it holds a first-position patent portfolio for its smart mailbox for drone package receiving and storage. It identifies its product as a feature-rich, secure mailbox that accepts delivery via robotic, unmanned driverless, aerial drone or conventional means.
Designed to accept drone delivery, the DRONEDEK mailbox also accepts traditional mail delivery and is destined to become an everyday utility service like power or water. The device is capable of keeping packages hot or cold; will alert users to package arrival; recharge drones, and even serve as an emergency alert if necessary. An app controls when the device is opened for delivery or retrieval and also controls its emergency alarm features.
“DRONEDEK must work with the reliability and redundancy of a 747 airliner with 300 people on it,” said Dan O’Toole, DRONEDEK CEO and Founder. “This new collaboration between BEL and DRONEDEK gives us the edge and credibility we have been looking for in the marketplace.”
