LODD
LODD is an Abu Dhabi-based autonomous cargo drone company building the Hili hybrid VTOL aircraft (250 kg, 700 km range) and supporting UAV traffic management, command-and-control, and logistics-as-a-service infrastructure for enterprise logistics, healthcare, energy, and e-commerce customers in the UAE and Asia-Pacific.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2023
- HeadquartersAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What LODD does
LODD Autonomous is an Abu Dhabi-based aerospace technology company developing hybrid electric VTOL cargo aircraft and the surrounding autonomous logistics infrastructure for civilian middle-mile and last-mile delivery. Founded in 2023, the company operates the Hili platform — a heavy-lift cargo UAV combining eight electric lifting motors with a conventional internal combustion pusher engine, delivering 250 kg payload capacity across 700 km range with vertical take-off and landing capability. The platform is supported by proprietary indigenous avionics, an inflight charging system that bypasses ground charging infrastructure, AI-driven autonomous flight, an unmanned traffic management (UTM) system, and a Command-and-Control (C2) centre for one-to-many fleet operations. Aircraft, software, and infrastructure are engineered for Middle East operating conditions including high temperatures, desert terrain, and maritime environments.
LODD monetises across three streams: a drone Logistics-as-a-Service managed offering that operates LODD-owned UAVs for enterprise customers; direct aircraft sales (anchored by a confirmed order of up to 50 Hili units from Ambitious Air Mobility Group); and bespoke C2 centre deployments for clients with complex UAV logistics requirements. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting e-commerce, courier, and freight operators (DHL Express, Aramex, Noon), air cargo carriers (Etihad Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo), healthcare providers (PureLab/PureHealth), energy and maritime operators, and government agencies. Geographic reach currently centres on the UAE with Asia-Pacific expansion underway via a strategic partnership with ST Engineering. The company is pre-commercial deployment, with commercial services expected to launch in 2026, and operates within the SAVI cluster with ADIO regulatory and institutional support.
Customer engagement is dominated by MoUs, pilot programmes, and demonstrations rather than disclosed recurring revenue, and pricing is not publicly available. LODD's strategic positioning combines UAE regulatory tailwinds, a vertically integrated UAV stack (aircraft + UTM + C2 + ground handling + service operations), and an emerging partner ecosystem that includes Skyports Infrastructure for vertiport development and Khalifa University for aerospace talent and powertrain research.
LODD firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LODD
- Legal name
- LODD
- Website
- https://lodd.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2023
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- LODD is an Abu Dhabi-based autonomous cargo drone company building the Hili hybrid VTOL aircraft (250 kg, 700 km range) and supporting UAV traffic management, command-and-control, and logistics-as-a-service infrastructure for enterprise logistics, healthcare, energy, and e-commerce customers in the UAE and Asia-Pacific.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LODD industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Autonomous Drone Logistics
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Nonscheduled Chartered Freight Air Transportation (481212), Nonscheduled Air Transportation (4812)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)
- akta.pro primary industry
- VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)
Keywords
Where LODD is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Abu Dhabi
- HQ country
- United Arab Emirates
- HQ region
- Middle East
Offices1 record
Markets served
LODD business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Drone Logistics-as-a-Service: LODD operates a fleet of UAVs and provides complete logistics solutions for last-mile and middle-mile delivery as a service. Customers receive end-to-end logistics management including scheduling, asset serviceability, real-time tracking, delivery notification, and billing through a software platform.
- Aircraft Sales: LODD sells the Hili autonomous cargo aircraft to customers, including export to international markets such as Asia-Pacific through partnerships like ST Engineering.
- Bespoke Command-and-Control Centre Deployment: LODD designs and deploys bespoke UAV command-and-control centres for clients with complex UAV logistics requirements, providing configurable one-to-one and one-to-many flight control systems.
- Medical Drone Delivery Services: Specialised drone delivery services for medical cargo including pathology samples, vaccines, PPE, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-controlled shipments, serving healthcare providers in the UAE.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
LODD product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LODD designs, builds, and operates the Hili hybrid VTOL autonomous cargo aircraft and provides autonomous drone logistics-as-a-service for middle-mile, last-mile, medical, and offshore cargo deliveries. The company operates a UAV fleet, runs a proprietary Command-and-Control Centre and UTM platform, and sells Hili aircraft to enterprise customers in the UAE, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Product overview
LODD offers a unified autonomous aviation platform built around the Hili hybrid VTOL cargo aircraft as its core product. The Hili aircraft (250 kg payload, 700 km range) serves as the primary vehicle for middle-mile cargo transport, while complementary drone delivery services address last-mile, medical, and offshore delivery use cases. The platform includes proprietary Command and Control infrastructure (C2 Centre) and UAV Traffic Management system for fleet operations, all delivered as a Logistics-as-a-Service model. This creates an integrated ecosystem where the aircraft operates within a complete operational support infrastructure spanning ground handling, airspace management, and customer-facing delivery services.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hili: Next-generation hybrid VTOL autonomous cargo aircraft designed for middle-mile logistics with 250 kg payload capacity and 700 km range.
Products and services
- Hili Hybrid VTOL Cargo Aircraft Hybrid electric VTOL autonomous cargo aircraft designed and built in the UAE with 250 kg payload capacity, 700 km range, 2.7 m³ cargo bay accommodating 2 EURO pallets, vertical take-off and landing capability, autonomous flight systems, inflight charging, and eight electric lifting motors plus a conventional ICE pusher engine. Sold to enterprise customers and used by LODD for middle-mile logistics.
- Drone Logistics-as-a-Service End-to-end UAV-enabled logistics service operated by LODD covering the entire UAV value chain: fleet scheduling, asset serviceability, real-time tracking, delivery notification, and billing through a software platform. Delivered to enterprise logistics, e-commerce, healthcare, energy, and government customers on a managed-service basis.
- Medical Drone Delivery Service Autonomous medical cargo delivery for pathology samples, vaccines, PPE, pharmaceuticals, and temperature-controlled shipments, compliant with UAE Ministry of Health and GCAA regulations and targeted at hospitals, clinics, and remote healthcare facilities.
- Offshore Drone Delivery Service Autonomous offshore cargo delivery between shore and offshore assets including oil and gas platforms, FPSOs, drilling rigs, and remote maritime infrastructure, reducing dependency on manned transport and supporting safer, more flexible supply operations.
- Command-and-Control Centre (C2 Centre) Deployment State-of-the-art one-to-one and one-to-many UAV command-and-control system enabling operators to monitor, operate, and manage individual aircraft and entire fleets. Available as a bespoke deployment for clients with complex UAV logistics requirements.
- Unmanned Air Traffic Management (UTM) System Advanced unmanned air traffic management system ensuring safety, optimised flight paths, and automated deconfliction for BVLOS UAV operations in civilian airspace, day or night and in all weather conditions.
Quantifiable outcome
- Parcels delivered in under 15 minutes (Noon Minutes service)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use LODD
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
LODD technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability7 records
Feature7 records
LODD partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.
- Ambitious Air Mobility Group (AAMG)coreAmbitious Air Mobility Group confirmed an order for up to 50 hybrid cargo aircraft from LODD, representing a significant commercial aircraft order for the Hili platform.
- DHL ExpressflagshipDHL Express and LODD signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore integrating LODD's unmanned Hili aircraft into DHL's express delivery network. The collaboration begins with operational workshops to identify priority routes and use cases, addressing road congestion in the UAE while supporting the nation's vision for innovative infrastructure. DHL Express operates over 150 flights per day from the UAE with a network of approximately 40 sites.
- ST EngineeringflagshipLODD and ST Engineering signed a strategic partnership to export the Hili autonomous air-cargo aircraft to Asia-Pacific markets. The agreement pairs LODD's Hili platform (250 kg payload, 700 km range) with ST Engineering's regional market access, regulatory expertise, and systems integration capabilities to accelerate commercial deployment across diverse Asia-Pacific geographies.
- PureLab / PureHealthcorePureLab (a subsidiary of PureHealth) and LODD conducted a pilot programme transporting blood samples between Sheikh Khalifa Medical City and PureLab's Abu Dhabi headquarters using unmanned aerial vehicles. The initiative aims to reduce medical sample delivery times and enhance diagnostics and patient care, supported by ADIO.
- Khalifa University of Science and TechnologyminorKhalifa University and LODD signed an MoU to strengthen collaboration in electric powertrain development, advanced aerospace mobility, and student experiential learning. Partnership includes a pilot project in Electric Powertrain Analysis and Design, joint technical lectures, coordinated industry-academic visits, and internship placements at LODD's Abu Dhabi facilities.
- AramexcoreAramex and LODD signed an MoU to explore integration of the Hili hybrid VTOL aircraft into Aramex's Middle East delivery network. A pilot program in Abu Dhabi assesses feasibility of delivering parcels via UAS, with a dedicated two-phase trial from Aramex's Musaffah facility to drone delivery points across Abu Dhabi.
- Noon / Noon MinutescoreNoon's Minutes service partnered with LODD to offer autonomous drone deliveries in the UAE, with parcels delivered in under 15 minutes. The technology was demonstrated at the DriftX event in Abu Dhabi with over 50 successful autonomous deliveries, developed in collaboration with Technology Innovation Institute and SteerAI.
- Emirates SkyCargocoreEmirates SkyCargo and LODD signed an MoU to explore drone-powered delivery solutions for air cargo operations, supporting innovation in cargo logistics.
- Etihad CargocoreEtihad Cargo partnered with LODD Autonomous to streamline the future of middle-mile delivery using autonomous cargo aircraft, exploring integration of Hili into cargo operations.
- 7X / EMXcoreLODD and 7X (investment holding group overseeing EMX logistics and express delivery) successfully conducted the first autonomous drone parcel delivery trial in Abu Dhabi under the SAVI cluster. The trial demonstrated viability of autonomous aerial parcel delivery in Khalifa City using a secure winch-based delivery system.
- Skyports InfrastructureminorLODD and Skyports Infrastructure unveiled a vertiport concept design for the Abu Dhabi Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) network, developing physical infrastructure for autonomous cargo drone operations.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
LODD competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat4 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
LODD social profiles
Digital presenceLODD financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LODD leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
LODD funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LODD M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LODD
What does LODD do?
LODD designs, builds, and operates the Hili hybrid VTOL autonomous cargo aircraft and provides autonomous drone logistics-as-a-service for middle-mile, last-mile, medical, and offshore cargo deliveries. The company operates a UAV fleet, runs a proprietary Command-and-Control Centre and UTM platform, and sells Hili aircraft to enterprise customers in the UAE, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific.
Is LODD a public or private company?
LODD is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was LODD founded?
LODD was founded in 2023. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is LODD based?
LODD is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, in the Middle East region.
How does LODD make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Drone Logistics-as-a-Service is the primary driver. The others are aircraft Sales, bespoke Command-and-Control Centre Deployment and medical Drone Delivery Services.
Does LODD have an API?
No public API is recorded for LODD.
What industry is LODD in?
LODD's product category is Autonomous Drone Logistics. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAC, VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV). Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.