Residents Watch Drones Deliver Products From Walgreens And Sugar Magnolia
The era of drone delivery is close to reality in Christiansburg, VA, as Wing demonstrated delivery of over-the-counter medications from Walgreens and baked goods from Blacksburg, VA retailer Sugar Magnolia on Monday.
Wing has partnered with FedEx and the two companies for the demonstration, according to television station WHSV. Jonathan Bass, Head of Communications and Marketing for Wing, said drone delivery is faster, more convenient and safer than other forms of delivery. Montgomery County, VA is the first location in the country to get a demonstration of the Wing service. "We've been partnering with Virginia Tech since 2016, with the Mid Atlantic Aviation Partnership. It's a drone research division of Virginia Tech; we did our first test in 2016, we delivered to Virginia Tech students, so this is a continuation of that," Bass said.
In April, Wing became the first drone operator to be certified as an air carrier by the Federal Aviation Administration, allowing it to deliver commercial goods by drone to recipients that may be miles away. Wing’s pilot program in Virginia is being conducted as part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program, and will be the most advanced drone delivery trial in the United States to date.
According to a Wing news release last month, Walgreens and Wing will make over-the-counter medicines and other health and wellness items available for delivery on-demand, through the air, and within minutes of ordering. Walgreens will be the first retail pharmacy to offer drone delivery in the United States. The two companies will use the trial in Southwest Virginia to explore how to improve the accessibility of healthcare.
Eligible FedEx Express customers who live within designated delivery zones in Christiansburg, and who opt in to the Wing delivery service, will be able to receive some packages via delivery drone. Wing has designed a customized box that its delivery drones will use to transport eligible FedEx deliveries directly to the homes of intended recipients.
With Sugar Magnolia, Wing is bringing a New River Valley institution directly to customers’ homes. Whether it’s a birthday card someone needs in a pinch, or small gifts or sweet treats for friends or family, Wing delivers within minutes. With Wing, Sugar Magnolia can spread the sweetness to customers even when they aren’t in Blacksburg.
The New River Valley has already played a part of the history of drone aviation. In 2016, the region was host to what was then the largest drone delivery demonstration in the United States, when Wing and Virginia Tech delivered hundreds of Chipotle orders to Virginia Tech staff and students. Christiansburg was selected as the pilot location in part because of Wing’s ongoing partnership with Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), located in nearby Blacksburg.
(Source: Wing news release and as cited. Image provided by Wing)
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