Alphabet Partners With FedEx, Walgreens To Bring Drone Delivery To the US (qz.com) 15
Google's Wing drone-delivery company announced today that it would be partnering with FedEx and Walgreens to bring autonomous drone deliveries to the U.S. in October. "The pilot program will be launched in Christiansburg, Virginia, one of the two areas in the state that Wing has been testing its drone technology for years," reports Quartz. From the report: People expecting packages from FedEx will be able to choose to get their deliveries made via drone, assuming that they live in certain areas that Wing has designated it can safely deliver parcels in. Similarly, Walgreens customers will be able to order products, such as non-prescription medicine, and have them delivered by drone. Walgreens said in a release that 78% of the U.S. population lives within 5 miles of one of its stores. Wing said that its drones can currently make a round-trip flight of about 6 miles (9.7 km), traveling about 60 miles per hour (97 km per hour), and can carry around 3 lbs (1.4 kg) of payload. The company also said that it would be offering deliveries from a local Virginia retailer, Sugar Magnolia. Wing won't be charging for the delivery service itself during the trial.
Wing said on a call with journalists that it will soon be reaching out to members of the Christiansburg community to let them know if they will be able to accept deliveries. Wing's drones don't actually land on the ground when they make deliveries; instead, they hover about 23 ft (7 m) off the ground, lowering their packages down through a winch cable system. If anything happens to snag the cable as it's delivering a package, the drone can sense the tension in the cord and release it, hopefully flying away without incident. It still requires what it calls safe delivery zones, like a backyard or a front pathway outside a house, to be able to make a delivery.
Wing said on a call with journalists that it will soon be reaching out to members of the Christiansburg community to let them know if they will be able to accept deliveries. Wing's drones don't actually land on the ground when they make deliveries; instead, they hover about 23 ft (7 m) off the ground, lowering their packages down through a winch cable system. If anything happens to snag the cable as it's delivering a package, the drone can sense the tension in the cord and release it, hopefully flying away without incident. It still requires what it calls safe delivery zones, like a backyard or a front pathway outside a house, to be able to make a delivery.
Could be really cool for photos (Score:2)
Although it's nice you could get life-saving medicine and all, I think the most fun use of this new delivery technology will be to order prints from Walgreens and have the drone drop them off at your house when done. Almost as convenient as having a printer!
The one thing I don't know if these drone delivery companies have really planned for though, is hawks... supposedly Eagles really hate drones and attack them on sight, I wonder if the same is true for most large birds of prey. In some areas drone deliv
Re: (Score:2)
In some areas drone deliveries may not be feasible.
You mean, in some areas this new encroachment by humans will force them out of their native habitats.
Still cheaper than jet ink. (Score:2)
I think the most fun use of this new delivery technology will be to order prints from Walgreens and have the drone drop them off at your house when done. Almost as convenient as having a printer!
And given the "they are probably using unicorn blood as ink"-levels of prices for inkjet cartdiges, it's also going to be much cheaper to order drone-delivered prints than keeping up with the consumable's cost.
Cable! (Score:2)
If anything happens to snag the cable as it's delivering a package, the drone can sense the tension in the cord and release it
Grab; free cable!
Cable system alternative (Score:4, Funny)
"...lowering their packages down through a winch cable system."
Too bad they did not partner with CVS. They could have lowered the package down by dangling it from a GIANT CVS RECEIPT [vox.com].
Re: (Score:2)
Maybe chimneys can make a comeback. As long as they use enough bubble wrap they can just drop the item down there Santa-style.
Re: (Score:2)
"Walgreens customers will be able to order products, such as non-prescription medicine, and have them delivered by drone.".
They should also deliver low-risk prescriptions as well. Some prescriptions require identification to be presented and verified, and it makes sense that those couldn't be delivered by drone. But as long as the recipient indicates that they are present to personally receive the delivery, there shouldn't be any problem with dropping it in front of the house. Getting timely confirmation of presence shouldn't be a problem: The pharmacy should notify the user electronically when their prescription is ready to
Drones are known to be dangerous. (Score:2)
17 drone disasters that show why the FAA hates drones [techrepublic.com]
8 Drone-Related Security Dangers [iotworldtoday.com]
Re: (Score:2)
If this takes vehicles off the road, it could be a net win.
On the cusp of a whole new kind of crime (Score:2)
Also, "Delivery drone chop shops". Snag the drone and break it up for parts, sell the parts.
"Delivery drone terrorism". Hijack the drone, repurpose it, have it 'deliver' IEDs.
The list goes on and on. Just you wait.
This is a no brainer! (Score:2)
Drone delivery has already been proven to work in Saudi Arabia.
Fucking Alphabet isn't a thing. (Score:2)
Alphabet is an english word, it does not belong to Evil Larry, Evil Sergie or Evil Eric. Stop pretending you own this word you fucking assholes. You are Google, everybody knows it. Nothing more and nothing less.
order by hastag (Score:2)
can i order my meds from walgreens with a hashtag on instagram?
that would be cool...
Really, do we need more noise pollution? (Score:2)
Headline vs. Summary vs. Press Release (Score:2)
Headline: Alphabet Partners With FedEx, Walgreens To Bring Drone Delivery To the US
Summary: The pilot program will be launched in Christiansburg, Virginia.
Press Release: "Eligible FedEx Express customers who live within designated delivery zones in Christiansburg, and who opt in to the Wing delivery service, will be able to receive some packages via delivery drone."
Additional Info: Christiansburg has a population of 23,000 and a population density of 1,600 people/sq. mi.
Commentary: Yet another small scale d