Rakuten To Test Drone Delivery System

Drones are pretty big in the news these days, and it is not surprising at all, actually, taking into consideration the kind of functions that they are able to fulfill. In fact, Rakuten, the largest online commerce firm in Japan, will also follow in the footsteps of Amazon and Alibaba by jumping headlong into the world of drones. In fact, they are looking to kick off trials of a drone delivery system on a golf course, this after acquiring a drone manufacturer in the process.

Rakuten has already confirmed that it will take part in a new round of financing for Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory (ACSL), which so happens to be a company in Japan that works on robotics and drones meant for industrial purposes. With a 20% stake in ACSL, this means Rakuten is certainly going to leave no stone unturned when it comes to a drone delivery system.

This coming May will see Rakuten and ACSL pilot a service which will deliver the likes of refreshments, balls and other items to golfers at a golf course over in Chiba. The idea is pretty basic, actually, where golfers make use of a smartphone app to input their order, and the drone will then send said orders from the clubhouse. Man, I do wonder whether other kinds of insects and dust will get into the food and drinks along the way if they are not properly covered, but knowing the Japanese and hygiene, that should not be something that I ought to lose sleep over.

Edwin Kee
Categories: Robots
Tags: Drones, rakuten