Walmart, Chick-fil-A, and 7-11 are introducing new technologies designed to deliver items to customers in minutes. The three mega-brands will be the first to debut a new drone delivery service with the Virginia-based company DroneUp.
DroneUp CEO Tom Walker revealed the company’s proprietary autonomous drone “ecosystem” on Tuesday, claiming it has the potential to change last-mile logistics.
The technology differs from other drone delivery systems
The technology differs from other drone delivery systems, containing a climate-controlled locker known as DBX, where drones pick up products.
The DBX is believed to be smaller than a single parking space, allowing smaller retailers to use the new technology as well.
The lockers can be used as delivery centers on college campuses and in cities, expanding access to drone delivery.
According to the company, the safe lockers will deter porch pirates and can also be used by customers who want to return items.
When delivering orders, the drones automatically know where to travel in the skies and are capable of avoiding any aircraft in their path.
“Throughout the last few years, our work with leading retailers and quick-service restaurants has provided us with valuable insights into the speed and convenience that end customers desire from drone delivery.”
They travel at 60 mph within a 30-mile radius and pick up packages with a claw-like grabber capable of safely transporting up to ten pounds.
How does it work?
The first stage of drone delivery is when a consumer places an order.
The locker is climate-controlled, so the contents are kept at the proper temperature.
When the item is ready, a drone is sent to the landing pad on the DBX.
The drone lands on top of the locker, and the item is put into it via a platform raised from the top of the DBX.
According to the company, the drones are remotely flown to maximize speed and efficiency as the item travels to its drop-off site.
The entire process is depicted in a video on DroneUp’s website stating that each drone can complete 50 deliveries each hour.
“Order goes from store to customer in a matter of minutes,” the company stated.
The consumer then retrieves the box from the dropoff site, which could be their front doorstep or another convenient spot.
“We’re going to democratize the airspace”
DroneUp has spent years working with shops and quick-service restaurants, collecting vital information into the speed and convenience that customers expect from drone delivery, according to the CEO.
Walker believes that merging “flying robots” with ground-based technology will help shops reduce delivery costs.
The average cost of drone delivery is $38 each trip, while labor accounts for 80% of the cost, according to Walker.
“When we put in a DBX, all that labor cost comes out. So overnight, my delivery cost goes from $38 to sub-$10,” the CEO told Axios.
“I’m now competitive with every other last-mile provider, but I’m faster and more reliable.”
Walker believes that this addresses several typical delivery-related issues.
“We’re going to democratize the airspace,” he said.
“You could be Joe’s Tailor Shop and you can have access to this for the same price that a Walmart has access to it.
“All you have to do is print out the barcode and put the barcode on the package.”
DroneUp has already launched the DBX in Virginia Beach and Dallas, with plans to expand to additional areas in late 2024.