The Next Big Thing for Mercedes-Benz Vans: Drones

Mercedes-Benz plans to spend piles of cash figuring out exciting new business models for its vans segment, and one idea involves invading people’s airspace.

Because most of its van buyers are in the delivery business, the German automaker sees benefits in offering a system where part of a parcel’s journey is accomplished using a drone, Reuters reports.

Volker Mornhinweg, chief executive of Mercedes-Benz Vans, made the high-flying announcement at a German press conference today. The automaker wants to have a hand in all aspects of delivery operations, rather than just providing the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz also wants to make it easier to get your hands on one of their vans.

“We are moving beyond a business model based on the idea of ownership and are looking at a pay-as-you use systems, which include short-term rental of vans by the hour,” Mornhinweg said.

Just imagine it: a Sprinter, in all its utilitarian splendor…but now with drones.

The unmanned aerial vehicles could carry a package for the last mile of the journey, plopping it in front of your door. Hopefully, there won’t be any peeking through drapes.

Mercedes-Benz claims that experiments with drones and delivery robots will be part of its five-year, $562 million series of pilot projects. If you think they’re bluffing, think again.

“It is definitely coming,” Vornhinweg told reporters.

Already, the automaker has designed a concept vehicle with the help of drone maker Matternet, according to Tech Crunch. The company’s Matternet M2 drones would be able to fly from the vehicle’s rooftop launch pad.

Drones launched from the “Vision Van” would be able to carry 4.4 pounds of cargo a distance of 12 miles on a battery charge. Mercedes-Benz is apparently putting its money where its dreams are, investing an undisclosed amount of cash into the tech startup.

[Image: Peter Linehan/ Flickr]