'Project Wing' Could Provide Disaster Relief, Product Deliveries

Google X ... the company's tech research division, is conducting tests of a UAV developed to deliver packages autonomously.

The tests are being conducted in Australia, according to a reports from the BBC and other media sources, which indicates that the company's stated long-term goal for "Project Wing" would be to deliver disaster relief to isolated areas. The aircraft could deliver medical supplies, batteries, and other items that might be needed in times of an emergency.

Australia was selected for the testing because of its "progressive" rules on UAV operations. The aircraft is powered by four electric motors with a wingspan of about 5 feet. It is a blended wing VTOL design that transitions to horizontal flight like a traditional airplane, but can hover like a quadcopter.

The aircraft can be pre-programmed with destination coordinates and allowed to fly autonomously. Google says that it has also considered the aircraft's use for package delivery much like the Amazon Prime Air service that made headlines last year.

(Image from Google video)

FMI: http://research.google.com/