The Copenhagen-based startup Acodyne has secured €2.5 million in pre-seed funding to develop autonomous cargo aircraft for heavy payload transport. These aircraft are designed to carry between 100 to 500 kg at speeds reaching 450 km/h. The funding, supported by investors including Gungnir Capital and PSV Hafnium, will accelerate the development of Acodyne’s E100 prototype, advance flight testing, and expand their team of aerospace engineers and designers. Operating from Avedøre Airfield, the company is currently a team of ten, united by the ambition to transform cargo transportation.
Acodyne’s aircraft feature vertical take-off and landing capabilities, eliminating the need for long runways, and are powered by batteries that allow for 75-minute flights covering distances up to 500 kilometers. The company employs proprietary engines available in electronic and hybrid versions. Their smallest model, the E100, can carry 100 kg, while the largest, the E500, supports 500 kg and features removable wings for easy transport. These drones are poised to replace crewed helicopters on short missions, offering reduced costs and risks. Future hybrid-electric models aim to double the range to 1,000 kilometers, with plans to incorporate AI-assisted flight planning. Flight testing is set to commence by the end of 2026, with commercial operations expected by 2028.
