A start-up’s plan to halve air freight costs with 777-size drones

Just think – an amphibious, unpiloted 777F equivalent, which could drop off 200,000 poundss (90 tonnes to the non-Americans among us) of cargo at sea ports. It would be at about half the cost of airfreight and just a bit slower than a manned aircraft. It sounds good, but it is some way off. Natilus is a California-based start up, with just $750,000 to spend on the plan. This summer it is testing a 30ft prototype, with an eye to finish production of the 200ft-plus drone by 2020. And shippers are already interested. Watch this space.