IIT Madras, FedEx complete India’s first urban drone delivery trials in Bengaluru

The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has completed India’s first intra-city drone delivery trials in partnership with FedEx, offering a glimpse into how urban logistics could evolve in the coming years.

The trials were carried out in Bengaluru and focused on speeding up mid-mile deliveries, one of the most time-consuming parts of the supply chain. The project is part of ongoing work at the FedEx smart centre at IIT Madras, which is exploring technology-led solutions for logistics.

During the trial, drones were flown between electronic city phase II and an area near Kempegowda international airport, navigating busy urban airspace to test their efficiency and reliability.

IIT Madras partners FedEx to pilot urban drone logistics in India

The collaboration between IIT Madras and FedEx is being seen as an important step towards reducing pressure on road-based delivery systems in cities.

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By using drones for mid-mile logistics, the initiative aims to cut down delays caused by traffic congestion and improve delivery timelines. This could be especially useful for time-sensitive shipments.

Nitin Navneet Tatiwala of FedEx said, “Innovation is central to how FedEx enables global commerce. This milestone reflects the FedEx SMART Centre’s broader research agenda across air cargo optimisation, electric vehicle integration, and advanced demand forecasting. Together, these efforts are focused on shaping future-ready, resilient and sustainable supply chain ecosystems in partnership with academia, industry and policymakers.”

IIT Madras study shows sharp drop in delivery time using drones

Findings from the IIT Madras team highlight the time-saving potential of drone deliveries. According to the study, a 53-kilometre journey by road, which usually takes more than an hour, can be shortened to an aerial route of about 39–42 kilometres. In the trials, this brought down delivery time to around 21 minutes.

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Prof. Satyanarayanan R Chakravarthy said, “These trials represent a significant leap in our mission to create a sustainable and progressive supply chain model. By integrating advanced aerial robotics into urban logistics, we are moving beyond theoretical research to prove the efficacy of high-impact, future-ready solutions that can redefine the global logistics landscape.”

The drones operated at an altitude of 120 metres and followed all regulatory norms, including flying through designated airport zones with required permissions.

IIT Madras-led initiative highlights future of drone-based supply chains

The IIT Madras believes such trials could play a key role in shaping the future of logistics in India, particularly in crowded urban areas.

Arshinder Kaur, professor in charge, FedEx smart centre added, “The high-speed drone-delivery trials are a strong demonstration of the centre's commitment to driving innovation across modern supply chains and accelerating cutting-edge technologies.”

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The trial also included multiple safety features such as an autonomous flight termination system, return-to-home function, and anti-collision lighting. The project was carried out with support from amber wings, a start-up incubated at IIT Madras.

As cities continue to grow and delivery demands increase, such technology-driven approaches could help make supply chains faster, more efficient, and less dependent on road transport.