20 May 2026 | News
Image Courtesy: Public Domain
Matternet, the world’s only FAA Type Certified drone delivery company, and Amprius Technologies, Inc., a leader in advanced lithium-ion batteries, announced a strategic collaboration to advance the performance and economics of autonomous aerial delivery through high-energy density silicon anode cells. Amprius cells are now deployed in Matternet’s M2 aircraft, and the companies are extending their work to battery solutions optimized for Matternet's next-generation platform.
As physical AI moves into the real world — with small, electric, autonomous aircraft transporting goods through cities — batteries are becoming a strategic driver of platform performance. In drone delivery, battery performance shapes not only aircraft capability, but also network design, asset utilization, and cost per delivery.
“As the world's leading urban drone delivery player, we partner with the best technology companies in the world to push what's possible,” said Andreas Raptopoulos, Founder and CEO of Matternet. “Amprius delivers best-in-class battery performance, and in drone delivery that translates directly into commercial advantage. Every additional mile of range expands our network coverage. Every minute saved in charging increases fleet utilization. And every gram saved can translate into greater payload capacity. With Amprius, we have the opportunity to engineer that technology around our aircraft, our network model, and our cost-per-delivery targets.”
High-Energy-Density Cells for Commercial Drone Delivery
Amprius’ silicon anode cells deliver up to twice the energy density of conventional graphite-based batteries, a critical advantage in aviation, where battery weight directly constrains range, payload, and economics.
For Matternet, this partnership is focused on translating battery performance into commercial operating advantage. Amprius and Matternet will work together to optimize cell selection, form factor, thermal performance, charge rate, and cycle life for Matternet’s next-generation aircraft.
The goal is to go beyond cell-level performance and tune the battery system around Matternet’s aircraft architecture and delivery network, improving aircraft availability, expanding service areas, and reducing cost per delivery as Matternet scales commercial operations.
“At Amprius, we are focused on partnering with category leaders in applications where battery performance changes what is possible,” said Tom Stepien, CEO of Amprius Technologies. “Matternet is exactly that kind of partner, a company with a proven certified platform, real commercial operations, and a clear path to scale. By working closely with Matternet’s engineering team, we can optimize our silicon anode technology for their aircraft, operating models, and cost-per-delivery objectives. That kind of alignment is how battery innovation translates into real-world commercial advantage.”
With Amprius cells already flying in Matternet’s M2 fleet, the companies are now focused on deeper integration for Matternet’s next-generation platform, with Amprius targeting volume production readiness aligned with Matternet’s fleet expansion plans beginning in early 2027.
