Move over, car and bike delivery — drones are the next mode of transportation being harnessed to deliver goods. Wing, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet, is partnering with Walgreens pharmacies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in Texas to offer drone delivery service of items, according to a Wednesday (Oct. 20) report from The Verge.
The collaborative effort will initially involve making deliveries from one Walgreens store to the city of Frisco and the town of Little Elm, according to the report. Walgreens staff will be taught how to attach the small shipping packages to the drones.
Related news: Kroger Tests Drone for Delivering Supermarket Goods to Customers
The Wing drone delivery undertaking is the latest in a series of drone delivery pilot efforts. In May, PYMNTS reported that Drone Express, a subsidiary of the communications company TELEGRID Technologies, had teamed with Kroger, the largest grocery store chain in the U.S., on a drone delivery pilot in Centerville, Ohio. The “bundled product offerings” such as breakfast items or cold medicine pairings, for example, would be limited to five pounds or less. Over the summer, Kroger piloted a second test program from a Ralphs store in California.
See also: Drone Express CTO: Fully Autonomous Grocery Delivery Is on Its Way
Following the Kroger drone launch, Drone Express CTO Beth Flippo told PYMNTS in August that the drones have the capacity to hold up to 15 pounds, but orders are limited to five pounds or less. In addition, she said most orders are fulfilled within 15 minutes, and some customers place orders for single items.
Moving forward, Flippo told PYMNTS that the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) changes will make it easier for drones to fly in more places. In the future, she anticipates drones hauling more weight and potentially navigating more severe weather, such as high winds.
Read more: Robotics Opens Door to ‘Bring It to Me’ Economy
As drone delivery technology continues to evolve, some companies are trying out other delivery methods. In April, Domino’s announced that its pizzas could be delivered by robots on certain days and times from Domino’s locations within the greater Houston, Texas area, as PYMNTS reported.
We’re always on the lookout for opportunities to partner with innovators and disruptors.
Learn More