Google is developing airborne drones capable of flying on their own and delivering goods, the Internet company said on Thursday.
'Project Wing'is Google's latesteffort to break into the commerce and package delivery markets, ratcheting up the competition with Amazon.com Inc.
Google said it will take years of development to create a service with multiple vehicles flying multiple deliveries per day.
An early version of the drone, which Google showcased in a video on its website, has a 1.5 meter-wide wingspan and is capable of flying pre-programmed routes.
"These planes have much more in common with the Google self-driving car than the remote-controlled airplanes people fly in parks on weekends," Google said on its website, referring to the company's test fleet of automobiles that use sensors and radars to navigate city streets and freeways on their own.
The drone Google showed in the video Thursday was equipped with rotors to allow for vertical takeoff and landing, as well as a fixed wing for plane-like flying.
Of course, it is too soon to discuss specific business plans for the delivery drones.
Google rival Amazon.com had announced plans last year to use aerial delivery drones for a service called "Prime Air."
|