FutuMed Hosts Medellín’s First Pilot Test for Drone Cargo Transportation
By Ruta N -Two unmanned aircraft covered distances of up to 22.4 kilometers to assess the technical feasibility of parcel delivery in urban environments.
On October 20, Medellín conducted its first pilot test for drone cargo transportation, with a landing at the Cincuentenario sports field, located in FutuMed, the country’s first Special Science, Technology and Innovation Zone. Led by the Olaya Herrera Airport Public Establishment, the project aims to assess the capabilities of unmanned aviation for potential commercial use.
The operation brings together the Medellín Mayor’s Office, the Civil Aviation Authority, FutuMed, and the companies Coordinadora and Pelagus S.A.S. Two aircraft were used in the tests: the ALT6D, manufactured in Colombia by Aerialoop, and DJI’s FlyCart. The flights covered distances of up to 22.4 kilometers, with the aircraft designed to carry loads of up to 20 kilograms along routes connecting logistics hubs across the Aburrá Valley, with the Medellín River corridor serving as the main axis.
The pilot project will make it possible to assess the technical and operational conditions required to integrate drones into urban logistics, while identifying opportunities for businesses, universities, and new developments in technology, aircraft, and specialized services.
The operations are equipped with backup communication systems, return-to-base or emergency landing mechanisms, and emergency parachutes. In addition, the routes are designed to minimize flights over densely populated areas and critical infrastructure, and civil liability insurance coverage is in place.
What is FutuMed?
FutuMed is an initiative led by the Medellín Mayor’s Office and Ruta N that aims to establish the city as a leading hub for science, technology, and innovation. It operates as an open-air urban laboratory where technologies are tested and validated under real-world conditions to find solutions to the city’s challenges.
Located in northern Medellín, FutuMed covers an area of 1.8 square kilometers, with Ruta N at its center, and is the District’s first Special Treatment Zone. This space helps accelerate technology experimentation and maturation, with the participation of citizens and stakeholders from the innovation ecosystem.
The initiative brings together more than 20 stakeholders, including universities, research centers, clinics, hospitals, companies, and startups, to develop initiatives with the potential to improve residents’ quality of life. In 2026, its work focuses on four areas: security, the circular economy, mobility, and health.
FutuMed also promotes technological development through different stages of experimentation, from initial research to the validation of solutions in real-world environments and their potential implementation to address urban challenges. In this way, Medellín is strengthening its capacity to test new technologies, generate knowledge, and promote solutions that can be scaled to other parts of the city and around the world.
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