Earlier today, CNBC broke a story where shipping giant UPS agreed to purchase and subsequently test ten eVTOLs for potential use as a means of delivering shipping containers to small and medium sized markets. An eVTOL, which stands for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, can takeoff and land atop a building thereby avoiding the need to fly into and out of airports. Moreover, eVTOLs make use of rechargeable batteries to provide power, much like an electric car. So, instead of delivering packages one at-a-time to the destination point, and requiring vast amounts of time to complete, an eVTOL can unload a container en masse, then return to its point of origin to repeat the process.
Currently, Beta Technologies, the maker of the eVTOLs, has applied for certification with the FAA. Pilots will likely have to go through a rigorous flying course much like a regular pilot and its not clear if eVTOLs can be used in adverse weather or in high wind conditions. Its possible that eVTOLs will eventually be unmanned, flying back and forth on an autonomous basis and/or steered from a remote site much like a military drone. For more information on the development, visit CNBC.