Aerial deliveries: Tec students develop delivery drone

“Alexa,” the hexacopter drone designed by Tec students from Monterrey campus, can carry up to one kilo.

By MARLENE GONZÁLEZ | MONTERREY CAMPUS - 04/10/2025 Photo COURTESY OF THE INTERVIEWEES, DANIELA VALDEZ

Tiempo estimado de lectura: 3 mins

VantTec, a student team specializing in unmanned autonomous vehicles on the Tec’s Monterrey campus, has developed a drone that can make aerial deliveries.

In partnership with the Rocket Pizza Company, the group got started in March by making thirteen deliveriesof 800-gram pizzas within a radius of 110 meters, via autonomous and remote-controlled flights.

This was achieved through “Alexa,” a hexacopter drone with six motors, double batteries, and 3D-printed parts that can carry up to one kilo.

“This project started about a year and a half ago. The partnership began because the pizza restaurant was interested in making a change to their business.

“They told us a little about what they wanted to do, and we gradually started scaling up (the drone),” said Ariadna Medina, a student and co-leader of the project.

“Alexa” forms part of VantTec’s SWARM & UAV project, which focuses on developing autonomous drone solutions, for both deliveries and technology competitions.

The team is currently working on different initiatives, which include an autonomous submarine and a 100% electrical vehicle, to name but two.

“My personal growth is thanks to the team, thanks to what I’ve learned and shared with my teammates.” - Alejandro Said

Innovating with “Alexa” drone

In 2024, VantTec began to develop a drone capable of making deliveries, which started out with four rotors. As the project advanced, they designed a six-rotor vehicle.

“Basically, we have two layers: one on the bottom and another on top. We designed both and 3D printed them.

“It has telecommunications antennas, a GPS antenna, telemetry antennas, and motors for direct control of the drone,” shared mechanical designer Luis Ramos.

Participating in the project were students Ariadna Medina, Daniel Salinas, Alejandro Said, Luis Ramos, Emiliano Méndez, Bismarck Animas, Neil Hernández, Iván Roberto Estrada, Diego Armando Fondón, and Mariana Diaz.

The “Alexa” hexacopter drone weighs 2.4 kilos.

Developing skills in VantTec

Besides learning the technical aspects, the students stress that VantTec has helped them develop skillswhich have contributed to their professional growth.

“I didn’t know much when I joined (VantTec). I joined as a project manager and much of my personal growth is thanks to the team, thanks to what I’ve learned and shared with my teammates,” said Alejandro Said.

Daniel Salinas highlights how he has learned about different tools and technological projects that benefit the community in the student team.

“I’m very satisfied that we could demonstrate how we can get things done in Mexico. I’m very happy that we’re implementing technology projects,” said Salinas.