Amprius collaborates with Matternet for drone delivery batteries.

      Amprius Technologies has formed a partnership with Matternet to provide silicon anode lithium-ion batteries for drone delivery operations. This collaboration combines Amprius's high-energy-density SiCore cells, which can reach up to 450 Wh/kg, with Matternet’s FAA-certified autonomous delivery drones, aiming to improve flight range, payload capacity, and charging speeds.

      Fremont-based Amprius Technologies, known for its high-energy-density silicon anode batteries, has partnered with Matternet, a leading drone delivery company that has achieved both FAA Type Certification and Production Certification. This agreement will allow Amprius to supply its SiCore® lithium-ion cells to Matternet's autonomous delivery drones, which could significantly enhance the range, payload capacity, and turnaround efficiency of commercial drone logistics.

      This partnership represents Amprius's ongoing efforts in the unmanned aviation industry, where it already provides battery solutions for drone delivery systems operated by Nokia Drone Networks, Nordic Wing, and several unnamed defense clients. Matternet's M2 drones deliver medical supplies and retail packages across urban areas in the United States and Europe, and this collaboration aims to tackle one of the biggest challenges in autonomous aerial logistics: battery performance.

      The importance of silicon anodes for drone delivery lies in their potential to outperform traditional graphite anodes. Standard lithium-ion drone batteries, with graphite anodes, have strict limits on energy density, limiting a drone's flight range and speed while carrying adequate payloads. In contrast, silicon can hold about ten times more lithium ions than graphite, leading to lighter batteries, extended flight durations, and increased cargo capacity. The development of silicon anode technology has drawn significant R&D focus across the battery industry, with numerous startups and established companies striving to scale this technology.

      Amprius’s SiCore cells offer up to 450 Wh/kg and 1,150 Wh/L, with independent validators confirming capabilities of up to 500 Wh/kg and 1,300 Wh/L. These figures represent a substantial improvement over typical drone batteries, which usually fall between 200–270 Wh/kg. Additionally, these cells support high discharge rates necessary for takeoff and can charge to 80% in approximately six minutes, a critical advantage for delivery services that rely on quick turnaround times.

      Matternet has developed one of the most advanced drone delivery networks globally, holding the first-ever FAA Type Certification for a drone delivery system and completing tens of thousands of commercial flights that transport medical samples, pharmaceuticals, and retail items. Recent partnerships indicate a strong growth trajectory: in April 2026, it announced a strategic alliance with SoftBank Robotics America to expand drone delivery in healthcare, retail, and enterprise logistics, and it initiated NHS drone deliveries in central London, linking major hospitals with autonomous last-mile aerial routes.

      Despite this progress, battery limitations continue to hinder the sector. Matternet's M2 drones currently carry payloads of up to two kilograms for distances of up to 20 kilometers on a single charge. By integrating Amprius’s higher-energy cells, Matternet could significantly increase its operational capabilities, allowing for larger payloads, longer distances, or a combination of both, without adding additional weight to the drones.

      The partnership also holds strategic significance beyond performance statistics. Amprius is compliant with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), indicating that its batteries meet the criteria for use in U.S. government and defense applications. As federal agencies and healthcare organizations increasingly scrutinize the origins of drone components, particularly batteries, domestic battery supply chains are becoming crucial in procurement considerations.

      Amprius produces its silicon anodes and cells at its Fremont headquarters and has established over 2.0 GWh of manufacturing capacity through agreements with U.S.-based Nanotech Energy and the Amprius Korea Battery Alliance, all designed to ensure NDAA-compliant supply chains. For Matternet, which serves clients in healthcare and potentially government sectors, sourcing batteries from a U.S.-based, NDAA-compliant manufacturer minimizes regulatory risks and strengthens their appeal to security-conscious customers.

      The commercial drone delivery market is on the verge of rapid growth. Analysts at Gartner forecast that over a million delivery drones will be operational worldwide by 2026, up from approximately 20,000 just a few years ago. Companies like Amazon, Walmart, Wing, and Zipline are scaling their aerial logistics operations, increasing competitive pressure to enhance range, payload capacity, and reliability.

      Amprius is positioning itself as a preferred battery supplier within this ecosystem, recording $28.5 million in revenue for Q1 2026, a 2.5-fold increase from the same quarter last year, and boosting its full-year 2026 revenue forecast to at least $130 million. Its clientele now includes sectors such as unmanned aviation, manned aviation, light electric vehicles, and defense, with drones and UAS applications driving core revenue.

      For Matternet, the partnership with Amprius is one step among many to keep its platform competitive as the drone delivery market evolves. For