UPS running tests using drones for commercial deliveries

UPS and drone maker CyPhy Works have begun testing the use of drones to make commercial deliveries of packages to remote or difficult-to-access locations. Testing began yesterday (22 September) when the companies staged a mock delivery of medicine from Beverly, Massachusetts, to Children’s Island, which is about three miles off the Atlantic coast.

The drone flight follows on from an investment made by The UPS Strategic Enterprise Fund in CyPhy to gather information about drone uses and capabilities.

“Our focus is on real-world applications that benefit our customers,” said Mark Wallace, UPS senior vice president of global engineering and sustainability.

“We think drones offer a great solution to deliver to hard-to-reach locations in urgent situations where other modes of transportation are not readily available.”