Wing, a leader in drone delivery technology, has announced the introduction of a new aircraft to its fleet. This expansion aims to optimize the delivery of larger orders, a move informed by the company's extensive experience in drone delivery across three continents. Wing's growth demonstrates its commitment to adapting to customer and partner needs, having completed over 350,000 deliveries globally.
Currently, Wing's statistics show that 70% of all U.S. orders are efficiently delivered by a single Wing aircraft, while the remaining 30% require two drones. The introduction of this new aircraft is designed to streamline these larger deliveries, similar to how airlines operate different aircraft for various routes. This strategy will enhance the delivery process for orders that exceed the capacity of a single drone, such as larger grocery orders.
Wing's approach, termed the "Aircraft Library," involves developing various drone configurations based on the core components used in their existing fleet. This innovative approach enables Wing to rapidly respond to emerging market demands, such as the need for a drone capable of handling larger orders.
The new aircraft will complement Wing's existing fleet, which typically carries payloads of about 2.5 pounds. The latest addition boasts a payload capacity of up to five pounds while maintaining the same 12-mile round-trip range and a cruising speed of approximately 65 miles per hour. It is designed to carry standard cardboard delivery boxes, making it versatile for a range of larger deliveries.
In terms of integration, the new aircraft is designed to seamlessly fit into Wing's current infrastructure and automation systems. This compatibility is key to maintaining the efficiency of Wing's drone delivery service.
Wing's expansion into larger aircraft aligns with its vision for a multimodal drone delivery model, mirroring the approach of ground delivery services that use vehicles of different sizes based on the nature of the orders. This strategic move aims to extend the convenience of drone delivery to a broader range of customers, especially in urban and suburban settings, by enabling more comprehensive order bundling and single-trip delivery.
Over the next 12 months, Wing intends to collaborate with partners and regulatory stakeholders to introduce this new aircraft into its service areas. This development marks a significant step in Wing's ongoing effort to enhance the drone delivery experience for both its partners and customers.