Serve Robotics and Wing to Launch Combined Drone Delivery Trial in Dallas
Serve Robotics’ sidewalk delivery drones and Alphabet’s Wing flying drone service are embarking on a joint venture for a combined test run. This collaboration aims to enhance delivery coverage and accelerate delivery times by leveraging the unique capabilities of both airborne and terrestrial drones.
TechCrunch reported that the joint trial will commence in Dallas, Texas over the coming months. During this period, selected customer orders will be fulfilled using a combination of sidewalk and flying drones.
Drone delivery faces significant logistical challenges, particularly in terms of coverage. Flying drones have a limited travel range from their operational bases, whereas sidewalk drones encounter difficulties navigating densely populated or uneven terrains. These challenges often necessitate upgrades to existing facilities to extend the operational reach of the drones.
The strategy employed by Serve Robotics and Wing involves a coordinated delivery approach. A Serve Robotics bot will initially retrieve an order from a restaurant and transport it to an “AutoLoader.” The Wing drone, capable of carrying up to five pounds and flying at speeds of up to 65 mph, will then collect the order from the AutoLoader and complete the delivery.
Details regarding participating restaurants or merchants, specific delivery areas within Dallas, and any subsequent plans for the drone delivery initiative remain undisclosed. Currently, Serve Robotics provides delivery services for 300 restaurants in Los Angeles. Wing, on the other hand, collaborates with Walmart in Dallas and has participated in a pilot program with DoorDash and Wendy’s in Virginia.
