Flying 'truck' for long-distance deliveries in the works at Yamato

Japanese shipper and US partner aim for commercialization by mid-2020s

20181011N Flying truck

The flying truck's cargo container will be easily transferable to other vehicles. (Rendering courtesy of Bell Helicopter Textron)

SHIHO MIYAJIMA, Nikkei staff writer

TOKYO -- Japan's Yamato Holdings and Bell Helicopter Textron of the U.S. have agreed to jointly develop an unmanned flying "truck" as the logistics industry turns to technology to overcome a shortage of workers.

Bell will build the body while Yamato will create the container for cargo. The craft will ascend vertically to a designated height and then travel horizontally, carrying up to 450 kg at roughly 160 kph.

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