Seriously...
The guy in charge is named "Astro"? Was he named after the Jetson's dog by per chance?
Google has unveiled a new programme to build autonomous delivery drones that are capable of carrying items into remote areas. Project Wing Google's Project Wing The company said that its Project Wing craft will provide unmanned craft which could bring light deliveries to people in areas where automobile or large-scale …
I don't think so. In cities I suspect the drones will be land based but in rural areas, I can see routes established not over houses to deliver goods.
At least you'd have a better chance of receiving your good than relying on a courier (as they are a lazy useless pack of thieving bastards)
This is long term but twenty years from now I suspect it will be common.
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....isn't that what existing delivery drivers do? Also I'd love to see the returns process. And I can see a great market in drone scrappage after they accidentally "fall" out of the sky. Or people hanging onto the cable to see if they can drone surf....c'mon, you know you want to.
Or people hanging onto the cable to see if they can drone surf
How sure are you there isn't (won't be) some sort of safety decoupler link attaching the cable to the drone (less than the drone's max. lifting capacity) that just cuts the cable if it starts feeling like an anchor...?
lol...well if you can't drone surf (although it will be tried, or people will tie cats to the string), you can gently drag the thing down and into the maw of an Albanian* scrap collector's van. *Other eastern europeans are available. Texans will probably think they are angels though
The design reminds me of the experimental Ryan VertiJet from the 50s, although being prop-driven it's more like a Convair Pogo.
The VertiJet was weird. You "land" it by going vertical and hanging it off a hook suspended on a trailer, and had vectored thrust and puffer jets instead of moving control surfaces.
That poor dog is going to go hungry, it only delivered one dog treat.
if this is to be used for country deliveries, then it should be simple to find 20 meters of "runway" Vertical take off or hovering use immense energy compared to winged powered flight, even with STOL operations. Probably not enough onboard smarts for that to be autonomous though. Apart from that, still looks like a solution looking for a problem. Maybe delivering urgent prescription medications might fit bill, but that is not a business case. Be fun to see drones as it looks like a neat toy for RC.
Yes, typical outback delivery
- 4 x 44 gallon drums of diesel
- 6 x Slabs Fosters Stubbies
- Several bales fencing wire
- Replacement transmission for tractor
- Assorted Groceries
- Bills (no rush)
- Medical supplies
Not much there that'll fit the lifting power of the drone.