Thyssenkrupp wins Steel Bee Delivery Drone Innovation Award

The joint project of Innovation GmbH and Thyssenkrupp Steel Europe AG won the Federal Ministry of Economics' Research Award for Innovation. The award was presented by a five-member expert jury led by Thomas Jarzombek, Federal Government Commissioner for the Digital Economy and Startups.

At Thyssenkrupp, this project is affectionately referred to as the steel bee: a delivery /delivery drone. The drone will regularly deliver samples through the Duisburg plant to a laboratory for further processing. It is part of a joint project of start-up companies from Kassel. Innovation GmbH and Germany's largest steelmaker thyssenkrupp Steel are testing drone delivery processes at the plant.

Both partners have now received an award from the Federal Ministry of Economics for innovative solutions.

An automated drone (no control required) delivers samples across the entire plant site, flying over major roads and railways. Once the transport box is attached to the drone using a patented gripping mechanism, it can be sent to its destination with the push of a button. Unlike vehicles commonly used for this, the drone reaches its destination in just 10 minutes, saving time and benefitting the environment. The drone also includes the highest safety standards and can land at an emergency landing point if needed.