dnata has started deploying drones in its warehouses at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport to digitise inventory processes and monitor shipments.

Working in partnership with US-based tech start-up, Gather AI, the artificial intelligence software enables the drones to map the environment, collect inventory data, count cases, measure temperature and read barcodes by using cameras.

The drones are paired to a tablet device providing live inventory data, which can then be viewed directly on the tablet or the web, via a user-friendly application. They can operate at temperatures as low as -10^oC, enabling dnata to take advantage of the technology in its state-of-the-art cool chain facilities, too.

dnata plans to gradually roll out the drones across its global cargo network in the next years.

Guillaume Crozier, dnata’s Divisional Vice President for Operations and Product Development, said: “We are excited to introduce leading-edge drone technology in our operations to take cargo handling to the next level.

“Our partner’s autonomous drones and inventory management platform provides greater transparency across our entire operations. This new technology, combined with our strong cargo product expertise, enables us to significantly enhance efficiency and mitigate the risk of revenue leakage throughout the customer journey.”

Watch this video to find out how autonomous drones help the handler digitise processes and monitor shipments with 99.8 accuracy.