Leader of Google/Alphabet’s drone project stepping down

Dave Vos is stepping down from his position as leader of Project Wing – the Google/Alphabet drone initiative. US-based MarketWatch broke the news on Tuesday (18 October) and it quoted from an email statement from Project Wing:”“Dave has helped to build a strong foundation of aviation culture on the team, and brought Project Wing to a place where we understand and can execute delivery missions end-to-end, repeatedly and safely.

“We’re grateful for Dave’s contributions and wish him the best of luck in future endeavors.”

Google – like its fellow internet giant Amazon – has been very much to the fore in testing the feasibility of using drones for parcel deliveries.

While Amazon has been developing a delivery drone testing programme in the UK, Project Wing has focused on US-based pilot projects and working with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Indeed, Vos has served as the co-chair of an FAA task force focused on drone registration.

Astro Teller, the CEO of X (formerly Google X), will step in as interim lead for Project Wing while the company looks for a permanent replacement.