Many companies have floated the idea of using drones to deliver products. Amazon is working on a program of its own to deliver products to customers within 30 minutes or less using drones. Even though the technology is far from perfect at this point in time, tests are being conducted. Convenience store chain 7-Eleven teamed up with drone startup Flirtey to make its first commercial drone delivery to a private residence in Reno, Nevada.
Flirtey prepared for the first drone delivery by selecting a store and then surveying customers within a one-mile radius to select one from those who were willing to take part in this pilot program.
7-Eleven’s first drone delivery took place earlier this month. The package included a chicken sandwich, coffee, donuts, candy, and even Slurpees. All of the goods were packaged in two containers and each container was flown separately to the residence.
The drone made its way from the store to the private residence autonomously using the onboard GPS to navigate. Homeowners easily retrieved the containers one they were lowered to the ground by the drones.
7-Eleven has said that it plans on working with Flirtey but didn’t say how long it’s going to take before autonomous deliveries are rolled out widely to customers in the region.