Zipline Unveils Next-Gen Platform 2 Drone To Boost Aerial Delivery For Millions
Zipline, a drone delivery company based in South San Francisco, has unveiled its new drone, Platform 2, which is capable of hovering as it lowers packages on a tether, enabling it to reach more customers than its first-generation system.
Since 2016, Zipline has completed over 500,000 deliveries using its first-generation aircraft, mostly in Rwanda and Ghana, with additional operations in Utah, Arkansas, and North Carolina.
The new drone, which pairs a fixed wing with upward pointing propellers for hovering, will help expand operations in the US and make them more practical and economical in urban and suburban areas.
The tethered drone will enable deliveries to a compact area of around 6 feet, even in rain, darkness, and strong winds.
Customers planning to use the new drones include Sweetgreen, Michigan Medicine, Intermountain Health, MultiCare Health System, and the Rwandan government. The new drone also boasts a longer tether than rivals, reducing noise to the level of rustling leaves.
“Zips” test drones on the way
Zipline is set to launch a 10,000-flight test program later this year using its new Platform 2 aircraft, or “Zips”, and droids, ahead of the first customer deliveries in early 2024.
The San Francisco-based company is building a fleet of 100 Platform 2 drones, which have the capacity to carry payloads of 6 to 8 pounds over distances of up to 10 miles, or 24 miles for longer flights.
The new drone will be used for shorter-range deliveries, with the older Platform 1 drones retained for longer-range delivery setups.
Zipline is also working toward gaining Federal Aviation Administration approval for beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights, a key step for expanding beyond pilot tests.
The company’s next-generation platform will function as a point-to-point network consisting of multiple docks across various locations.
Zips will be automatically routed to the most convenient dock for loading or recharging, with Zipline’s software ensuring the network is evenly distributed.
Originally published at https://businessdor.com on March 17, 2023.
