Google’s sister company to increase unmanned drone delivery trial operation

Wing, a drone delivery company, started a test operation of a delivery service using an unmanned drone in Virginia, USA. This service delivers not only FedEx delivery, but also medicines and sweets purchased at local retail stores by courier.

Wing is a company affiliated with Alphabet, the parent company of Google. Wing has been conducting test operation of courier services in Australia and Finland since April. The drone test operation starting in October in Christiansburg, Virginia, was the first to be approved by the Federal Aviation Administration as an unmanned drone delivery service. It is a partnership with US logistics service company FedEx, US pharmacy chain Walgreens, and Virginia retailer sugarmagnoliaburg.

According to Wing, in test operation, you can use the app to receive unmanned drone delivery. At Walgreen, products purchased online, such as sugar magnolia bugs and stationery, are delivered by courier.

The package design for FedEx shipments was also revealed. At the top of the package, something like a drone handle is attached. Products purchased from Walgreen also have packages. The drone used for the courier service can travel a distance of 9.7kg and fly at 97km/h, and the transportable weight is 1.4kg. Upon receipt of the order, the drone takes off from a nearby service center and unloads the luggage with a cable 7m above the front door of the backyard of the courier. In addition, when the cable gets entangled in a tree or a building, it senses pressure, separates the cable, and allows it to fly. The cost of delivery using drones is said to be free during the trial period.

In addition to Wing, companies that have transportation services are making numerous attempts to realize delivery services using unmanned drones. Amazon is developing a drone delivery service called Prime Air, and Ford is developing a bipedal robot delivery service called Digit. Related information can be found here .