Amprius and Matternet Strengthen Partnership for Drone Delivery Battery Solutions
Partnership Aims to Enhance Drone Delivery Performance
Battery manufacturer Amprius Technologies and drone delivery company Matternet have announced a strategic partnership aimed at improving the performance of commercial drone delivery systems through advanced battery technology.
The collaboration will utilize Amprius silicon anode lithium-ion cells to power Matternet’s M2 drone aircraft, with plans to develop battery systems for Matternet’s next-generation drone platform.
This partnership underscores the growing importance of battery performance in drone delivery operations, as enhancements in range, charging speed, and weight can significantly impact operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Focus on Battery Performance and Commercial Scale
Amprius claims that its silicon anode cells can provide up to twice the energy density of traditional graphite-based lithium-ion batteries. In aviation, this higher energy density can lead to reduced battery weight, thereby increasing aircraft endurance and payload capacity.
For drone delivery operators, these advancements could enhance business performance by enabling more deliveries per aircraft each day and supporting larger service areas.
The partnership will concentrate on optimizing several battery characteristics for Matternet’s future aircraft, including:
- Cell selection
- Battery form factor
- Thermal performance
- Charge rates
- Cycle life
The goal is to tailor the battery system to Matternet’s aircraft architecture and operational network, ultimately improving aircraft availability and reducing delivery costs as operations scale.
Advancements in Drone Delivery Technology
This announcement comes as the drone delivery sector transitions from pilot projects to larger commercial deployments. Companies in the industry are focused on enhancing aircraft range, payload capacity, reliability, and operational efficiency.
Battery technology is a critical component of this evolution, as electric drones must effectively manage payload weight, flight duration, charging schedules, and operating costs while adhering to stringent aviation safety standards.
Matternet has established itself as a leader in the sector, being the first drone delivery operator to receive FAA Type Certification for a delivery drone platform in the United States. The company has completed over 60,000 commercial flights across the U.S. and Europe.
Amprius cells are currently in use within Matternet’s M2 fleet, and the companies are preparing for deeper integration into Matternet’s future aircraft platform. Amprius aims to achieve production readiness in alignment with Matternet’s planned fleet expansion set to begin in early 2027.