The mobility and logistics landscape is constantly shifting. From the Pony Express to next-day international delivery, the only constant in logistics is a shift toward speed, reliability and convenience. Innovative entrepreneurs in logistics are always looking over the horizon to understand how to get ahead of the market and create solutions for tomorrow’s demands.

Each year, more than 150 billion dollars worth of parcels are shipped in the United States alone, and the U.S. freight market is currently valued at over 1.6 trillion dollars. Put simply, the freight and logistics industry is alive, thriving, and growing.

There is an opportunity to move the mobility and logistics industry forward, making testing and partnerships key to navigating the real-world challenges new logistics technology must safely satisfy.

Embracing that opportunity is the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ), a diverse landscape in North Texas dedicated to commercializing the future of logistics.

The Future of Mobility is Here

Located just north of Fort Worth, the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) is a unique landscape built on collaboration and opportunity. That combination works to connect people, places and ideas that push innovation in surface and air mobility forward. By leveraging its one-of-a-kind infrastructure, the MIZ offers businesses and entrepreneurs full access to an unparalleled ecosystem, resources and partnerships essential to comprehensively test, scale, and commercialize the latest logistics and mobility technologies.

The 27,000-acre industrial-focused, mixed-use community is part of a public-private ecosystem that brings regional policymakers and global mobility and technology innovators together. The unique environment allows partner companies of the MIZ to stay informed and influential on emerging mobility regulations.

[Image: Courtesy AllianceTexas]

Bell’s Autonomous Aircraft Flies Into the Future

In early 2021, Hillwood and Bell Textron Inc. demonstrated a point-to-point unmanned aircraft system (UAS) package delivery in North Texas. The Bell Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) flew across the Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ), from the Flight Test Center through complex airspace on a four-mile route to Pecan Square, Hillwood Communities’ tech-forward, master-planned community in Northlake, Texas.

The success marks major progress for Hillwood’s AllianceTexas MIZ and Bell, showcasing the many applications of the APT as a logistics vehicle. It also demonstrates that the MIZ has the scale, infrastructure, and the perfect testing space to support the eventual commercialization of next-generation air mobility technologies – and that’s been Hillwood’s vision all along.

“This successful test of Bell’s APT at the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone highlights the potential for UAS to complete complex missions, moving the needle closer to connecting logistics operations directly to consumers,” said Ross Perot, Jr., chairman of Hillwood. “Together, we are carving a path forward for future commercial operations to solve the supply chain challenges our world currently faces.”

An Anchor for Innovation

“Our region is uniquely positioned to support companies engaged in the commercialization of new technologies in air mobility,” said Jeff Williams, mayor of Arlington, Texas and chairman of the TRTC. “We’re proud to support Bell and Hillwood in launching North Texas’ first point-to-point package delivery at the MIZ and look forward to their continued leadership in making our region an epicenter for mobility innovation.”

Hillwood’s AllianceTexas development is anchored by the world’s first dedicated industrial airport, Fort Worth Alliance Airport, and hosts one of the nation’s premier intermodal hubs. The unique set of air and surface logistic assets includes an urban airspace environment around the Fort Worth Alliance Airport and interoperability across supply chain nodes from the first to the last-mile, serving as a true nexus for surface and air mobility.

The MIZ features:

Urban airspace environment
Alliance Airport with FAA Control Tower
Amazon Regional Air Hub
FedEx Southwest Regional Hub
Operational Flight Testing Center
2M+ people within 20 miles, with varying population densities

The mixed airspace and varying population densities set up a truly unique space that offers logistics entrepreneurs the opportunity to test their vehicles in real-world conditions before going to market, which helps them save time and money as they implement their new technologies.

[Image: Courtesy AllianceTexas]

Field Testing a New Style of Delivery

The APT is in the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) family of vehicles Bell is developing. Bell’s APT systems allow for flexible mission capabilities while keeping operations simple, efficient and fast. It is capable of twice the speed and range of a conventional multirotor, and the vehicle is designed for rapid deployment, quick reconfiguration, and nimble battery swap and recharge.

According to a statement, the APT initiated a vertical takeoff, and then rotated to fly on its wing. A “nearly silent” takeoff and ascent according to the onlookers on the ground below. From there, the APT reached an altitude of 300 feet above ground level and flew near I-35W to transition in and out of Class D and Class G airspace. The route was meant to demonstrate that the APT might encounter various airspace types during a commercial flight.

“Bell is proud to play a role in the first North Texas UAS package delivery, and this demonstration showcases the future application of the APT as a logistics carrier,” said Mitch Snyder, president and CEO of Bell. “Testing at the MIZ showcases how Bell’s autonomous vehicles could seamlessly integrate into logistics operations and unlock new opportunities for businesses.”

To date, the APT flight test program has completed over 300 test flights. In 2021, APT will demonstrate several military and commercial operations while simplifying user interfaces and enhancing the aircraft’s autonomous features.

Thinking Above and Beyond

The partnership between Hillwood, Bell, BNSF, and the FAA is just one example of the collaborative efforts the MIZ can create. Their work is progressing the future of mobility and making it not only possible, but accessible. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to dramatically reduce the expense of package delivery while prioritizing human safety. And this is only the beginning.

Whatever ground-breaking innovations come next, the MIZ is the perfect landscape to take mobility innovation from idea to reality—surface to air and beyond.

Learn more on how to test, scale and commercialize your technology within the MIZ by connecting with us at https://www.alliancetexasmiz.com/.

The AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) is a unique landscape built on collaboration and opportunity. That combination works to connect people, places and ideas that push innovation in surface and air mobility forward. By leveraging its one-of-a-kind infrastructure, the MIZ offers businesses and entrepreneurs full access to an unparalleled ecosystem, resources and partnerships essential to comprehensively test, scale, and commercialize the latest logistics and mobility technologies.