Just imagine that you get an alert on your phone announcing that your delivery is arriving. You go out, look up at the sky, and watch intently for your drone delivery to land in your front yard. No, this isn’t a futuristic film. It’s about to be our new delivery reality. A Virginia startup called DroneUp is trying to solve drone delivery’s logistics issues and usher in a new era of automated delivery.
New Delivery System
A new proprietary autonomous drone “ecosystem” has been announced by a company called DroneUp, which is at least partially owned by Walmart. DroneUp’s CEO claims the new drone system will revolutionize last-mile logistics. The new system will include a climate-controlled automated storage locker called DBX where drones can pick up and drop off packages. Plus, the system’s software will enable the drones to automatically know where to go and when to go. A single human operator can monitor many drones at once instead of operating only one.
Even More Advancements
Additionally, an even more advanced drone is also in the works. It can travel up to 60 miles per hour within a 30 mile range. Plus, it features a claw-like grabber that allows it to lift packages weighing up to 10 pounds and then store them inside its belly. If you’re imagining some type of cute cartoon flying robot “eating” the packages, you’re definitely not alone in your musings.
In addition to home delivery, packages can also be delivered to and securely stored inside special lockers until customers have a chance to pick them up. These special delivery hubs could make drone delivery possible for those who live farther out of cities and in harder to reach places. Additionally, customers can use the same drone delivery system to return orders.
First Adopters
Among the first retailers to pilot this exciting new technology are Walmart, 7-Eleven, and Chick-fil-A. Smaller retailers are expected to quickly jump on board as well since delivery costs will be greatly decreased with the use of this new automated delivery system. DroneUp plans to start rolling out their new drone delivery system in certain select markets starting sometime this year.