Drone delivery takes off

Published October 30, 2019 by Virginia Business

Wing, a division of Google’s parent company, Alphabet Inc., launched the nation’s first commercial drone delivery service as a pilot program in Christiansburg on Oct. 18.

The drones made their historic first deliveries in three suburban yards, witnessed by dignitaries from the White House, the Federal Aviation Administration, Wing and Virginia Tech.

Flying at more than 70 mph, the 10-pound drones lower cargo from FedEx, Walgreens and area retailer Sugar Magnolia into customers’ yards, making deliveries in as little as five to 10 minutes.

Virginia Business reported in July that Wing partnered with the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership to develop the service, which will eventually take flight in other cities across the nation.