Matternet M2 delivery drone meets FAA safety expectations

The M2 drone delivery system by Matternet has achieved type certification by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This is a major step forward for the US drone delivery ecosystem because it’s the first time the FAA has approved the design of a drone built specifically for package deliveries.

Type certification refers to the approval of the design of the aircraft and all component parts (including propellers, engines, control stations, etc.). It signifies the design is in compliance with applicable airworthiness, noise, fuel venting, and exhaust emissions standards.

Matternet is quick to point out that all other drones that have received type certificates from the FAA until now have been built for military purposes. As such, the completion of a four-year rigorous evaluation by the FAA proving the safety and reliability of M2 drones can be seen as a key step in scaling US commercial drone operations.

Here’s Andreas Raptopoulos, founder and CEO of…