UPS has established UPS Flight Forward Inc. to deliver parcels by drones. It has already submitted a request to the relevant authority to be allowed to operate commercial drone flights.
UPS’s new subsidiary is likely to be approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to carry out deliveries by drones this year. Thus, it will become one of the first companies in the United States to be able to perform such operations.
The company will be able to perform drone flights out of sight of the operator, both day and night.
“UPS is committed to using technology to transform the way we do business,” said Scott Price, UPS chief transformation and strategy officer.
UPS’s formation of a drone delivery company and application to begin regular operations under this level of certification is historic for UPS and for the drone and logistics industries,” added Price.
First such carrier in the U.S.
In the United States, there are limited possibilities for drone operations. The certification UPS is seeking will enable the company to transport cargo across state and national borders. Thus, the company may become the first U.S. company to routinely operate commercial unmanned flights.
Currently, UPS operates drone healthcare deliveries in a specific use-case. Based on a contractual delivery agreement, UPS delivers medical samples via unmanned drones on the area of WakeMed’s flagship hospital and the campus in Raleigh, N.C. The company intends to expand its drone delivery service to other hospitals or campus settings.
#Drones create an unprecedented level of speed and predictability for lab sample deliveries. #innovation #healthcare pic.twitter.com/IIqg3tYOBS
— UPS (@UPS) July 25, 2019
Photo: Pixabay