Wing, the drone delivery service that’s an offshoot of Google parent company Alphabet, is preparing for take-off. It will launch a pilot version of its service in Virginia next month delivering goods for FedEx Express, Walgreens and a small retailer.
Starting in October 2019, the drones will deliver health care products, food, and other packages to residents of the town of Christiansburg, Virginia. The local retailer, Sugar Magnolia will also offer drone delivery via Wing.
In April, Wing becomes the first drone operator to receive its Air Carrier Certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The pilot, which is part of the US Department of Transportation’s Integration Pilot Program, aims to demonstrate the feasibility of drone delivery, which is still in the early stages of development.
Walgreens and Wing will deliver over-the-counter medicines and other health and wellness items on-demand, through the air, and within minutes of ordering. The company has designed a customized box that its drones will use to transport eligible FedEx Express deliveries, and Wing will transport small gifts and food or sweet treats for friends or family from the local retailer Sweet Magnolia.
If the pilot program goes well in Christiansburg, we may soon see Wing delivering goods in other parts of the country.
