Zipline, an American start-up specializing in delivery by dronehas just presented its new solution, consisting of a drone and a small droid, aimed at greatly optimizing delivery in urban areas.
“ Over the past decade, global demand for instant delivery has exploded, but the technology we use to make deliveries is 100 years old. We still use the same 3,000 pound combustion vehicles, driven by humans, to make billions of deliveries that typically weigh less than 2 pounds. It’s slow, it’s expensive and it’s terrible for the planet says Keller Rinaudo Cliffton, co-founder and CEO of Zipline. According to him, his company’s new technology will be a game changer.
An almost silent drone
Called Platform 2 (P2), the company’s new drone is capable of hovering and uses a cable system that allows the package to be lowered inside a small container, described as a ” delivery droid », and to deposit it in front of the customer. He makes deliveries up to 7 times faster than traditional car deliveries “, assures Zipline, covering a distance of 10 miles (about 16 km) in about 10 minutes, and carries loads of up to almost 4 kilograms.
The device moves about 100 meters above sea level, higher than its competitors. In this way, it is almost silent and does not disturb the inhabitants of the areas served.
Zipline wants to offer an end-to-end solution for its customers. The delivery system includes a dual docking station, charging hardware, software that easily integrates with inventory and ordering systems, and an app that tracks its drones down to the second. .
Zipline already has a robust track record
Zipline announces that it has already entered into partnerships with several companies wishing to exploit its technology and reduce their carbon footprint: each flight produces approximately 30 times less CO2 emissions than an average electric vehicle and up to 98% lower emissions than a gasoline vehicle. The start-up’s technology is particularly popular in the healthcare and catering sectors, two markets requiring rapid deliveries.
The company operates in Rwanda, Ghana, USA, Nigeria and Japan. Its service is used in particular for the delivery of blood, vaccines, prescriptions, e-commerce products and food. Its P1 platform has already delivered more than five million items worldwide, making a delivery every 90 seconds.
With the Platform 2, Zipline is thinking big. It plans to carry out large-scale flight tests this year, more than 10,000 tests, which will be followed by the deployment of the new solution just after.
Sources: Zipline, Electrek, The Verge
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