Bundesliga club SV Darmstadt 98 has teamed up with Wingcopter to become the first soccer club in the world to deliver fan merchandise using delivery drones. This innovative approach is part of the "LieferMichel" pilot project, transforming the way fans in the German Odenwald region receive their beloved team's gear.
Through this collaboration, fans residing in two districts of Michelstadt can now order a variety of Darmstadt 98 products online, including jerseys, scarves, and Christmas-themed items. These orders are then delivered via Wingcopter drones to designated landing points near the villages. The final leg of the delivery is completed emission-free, with the goods being transported to the customer's doorstep using electric cargo bikes.
Martin Kowalewski, Managing Director of SV Darmstadt 1898, expressed the club's enthusiasm for the partnership:
"We aim to merge tradition with modernity and innovation. Working with Wingcopter reflects our mission to be at the forefront of innovative solutions, constantly finding new ways to engage and connect with our fans."
The LieferMichel project, a collaboration between the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences and Wingcopter, is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport under the "Innovative Air Mobility" initiative. Since October, the project has enabled Michelstadt residents to receive everyday items from their local REWE Center via drone delivery. Other key partners in this initiative include telecommunications giant Vodafone and cargo bike manufacturer Riese & Müller.
Ansgar Kadura, co-founder and Chief Services Officer of Wingcopter, shared his excitement about the partnership: "Having SV Darmstadt 98 on board for the LieferMichel project brings an exciting dimension to our efforts in reaching rural areas with innovative solutions. We're thrilled to embark on this journey with them and expect to achieve great milestones together."
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