The drone that can lift 500 pounds

As commercial drones become more common, one area that needs to improve is payload weight. Amazon has started testing drone deliveries, but it can still only deliver small parcels. Griff Aviation, on the other hand, has a new drone that can handle 496 pounds.

The Griff 300 itself weighs 165 pounds, meaning it can carry payloads of three times its weight. It is also advertised as being able to fly up to 45 minutes on a full charge, but the payload weight can impact that. Users are not likely to be getting 45 minutes of flight time while dragging along 500 pounds of freight.

Realistically, though, these kinds of drones are not made for companies such as Amazon or Wal-Mart. These are likely geared toward lifting heavy objects such as construction materials at certain work sites. It is easier to get authorization for commercial drone use on private property.

Regulations are still not completely sorted out for commercial drone delivery, but the Griff 300 does have its certifications worked out to take to the sky. As of now, it is certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency and the US Federal Aviation Administration. That is good news for future Griff drones. The company is already looking at the future, saying upcoming models will be able to lift as much as 1,764 pounds.