22 June 2026
TRACE has successfully completed the Italian Pilot A, demonstrating an innovative intermodal logistics scenario that combines cargo bikes and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to support sustainable, efficient, and flexible last-mile deliveries.
The pilot, led by the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) through the HiperLab research group in collaboration with DIFLY, showcased how the TRACE platform can seamlessly coordinate different transport modes within a single logistics operation.
Originally planned to take place between two hospital facilities, the demonstration was adapted following external operational constraints that affected the originally selected flight area. Thanks to the flexibility of the TRACE platform and the close collaboration between project partners, an alternative operational scenario was successfully designed while fully preserving the pilot’s objectives.
The demonstration began with a cargo bike transporting a payload from the University Hospital of Modena. Using the transport plan generated by the TRACE platform, the system optimised the delivery route while considering operational constraints, including restricted and no-fly zones, to identify a safe drone transfer location.
Once the cargo reached the designated transfer point, the UAV successfully completed the aerial segment under Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) conditions before the payload was transferred back to the cargo bike for the final delivery stage.
The successful execution of the bike–drone–bike mission demonstrated the TRACE platform’s ability to coordinate heterogeneous transport assets, generate feasible multimodal transport plans, and dynamically adapt logistics operations to real-world conditions.
Italian Pilot A represents an important milestone for TRACE, validating the integration of ground and aerial mobility solutions while demonstrating the potential of intermodal logistics to improve the efficiency, flexibility, and sustainability of future urban and regional delivery services.
As cities continue to seek greener and more intelligent transport solutions, TRACE contributes valuable evidence that collaborative multimodal logistics can play a central role in reducing emissions, improving operational efficiency, and supporting more resilient supply chains.
Watch the official demonstration video of the Italian Pilot A and discover how TRACE combines cargo bikes and UAVs to enable smart intermodal last-mile logistics.