Google plans to begin delivering packages to consumers using the robot aircraft in 2017 – that is according to David Vos, head of Google’s delivery service dubbed Project Wing.
“Our goal is to have commercial business up and running in 2017,” said Vos during a speech at an air traffic control convention in Washington.
Vos said Google and its parent company Alphabet are in talks with the Federal Aviation Administration and other stakeholders concerning the set-up of air traffic control system for drones that would use Internet technology and cell network infrastructure to keep the drones in line at altitudes under 500ft.
Details about Project Wing initially emerged in 2014 where the company built and flew its own prototype in Australia. Information regarding the type of packages Google will be delivering has yet to be confirmed, but initial reports have suggested that the drones would be used for disaster relief or to deliver urgently required medical supplies.
The drone delivery race has intensified as Google takes on Amazon, Alibaba and Walmart who have also announced plans to launch their commercial drone delivery services – so the question is – who will be the first to fly that parcel to your door?