Alphabet's Wing Tests Drone Deliveries in Australia

Wing Launches Rooftop Drone Delivery Pilot Program

A new pilot program has been initiated by Wing, the Alphabet-owned drone delivery service. This program will utilize rooftops of shopping centers as launch points for product deliveries.

The initial phase of this operation is currently underway in Logan, Australia, Wing’s largest market.

Partnership with Vicinity Centres

Wing has established a collaboration with Vicinity Centres, a prominent Australian retail property group, to implement and evaluate this innovative delivery model.

Testing is being conducted at Logan’s Grand Plaza, where Wing drones are already fulfilling customer orders directly from businesses situated below their designated launch pads.

Evolution of Wing’s Delivery System

Wing has been actively operating within Logan for the past two years. Previously, businesses were required to store their products at Wing’s central delivery facility.

This new initiative marks the first instance of Wing performing deliveries directly from the existing locations of participating retailers.

Since mid-August, Wing drones have been launching from the Grand Plaza rooftop, transporting items such as sushi, bubble tea, smoothies, and a variety of other products from merchants within the shopping center.

Expanding the range of deliverable items, the drones will now also handle over-the-counter medications, as well as personal care and beauty products.

Early Success and Expansion Plans

Within the initial six weeks of operation from Grand Plaza, Wing’s drones have successfully completed 2,500 deliveries to numerous suburbs within Logan.

The company intends to broaden both its network of partner merchants at the center and the geographical area covered by its delivery service.

Jesse Suskin, Wing’s Head of Policy & Community Affairs in Australia, indicated that a successful pilot at Grand Plaza could pave the way for replicating the model at other retail properties within Vicinity Centres’ portfolio.