Port Authority tests NJ to NYC cargo drones

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey tested out a cargo drone on Wednesday to transport Raspberry Rally Girl Scout cookies from the port at Jersey City over the Hudson River to Brooklyn, NYC.

The government agency hopes the cargo drones become commonplace over the next few years to deliver critical goods to health care facilities and for general cargo. It travels mostly at 150 feet in the air, beneath the helicopters and above the boats in the river.

They are now seeking company customers to use the drones to move goods.

It’s an Hx8 drone by Harris Aerial with eight propellers. It weighs less than 55 pounds and can carry over ten pounds of cargo.

The drone is fully automatic and is operated by a nonprofit called NUAIR, the Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance, Inc.

The Port Authority currently uses six other drones to assist search and rescue operations, damage assessments and other uses.

AP video shot by Ted Shaffrey