Alphabet's drone delivery company, Wing, recently achieved a unique milestone by successfully lowering a payload of peanuts and beer along the outfield foul lines of Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies. While this particular use case is unlikely to become a recurring practice, Wing conducted the exhibition flight to demonstrate the safety, efficiency, and speed of delivery drones in dense urban settings. The aim was to showcase the aerial services that Wing has been providing in various cities worldwide, with a focus on the growing Australian market.
Although the flight took place when Coors Field was not hosting a game, Wing's Head of Marketing and Communications, Jonathan Bass, emphasized the significance of choosing the stadium as the location. Bass explained that Coors Field, situated in the heart of Denver, Colorado, presented considerable challenges due to its position in one of America's fastest-growing cities. Despite the absence of a packed stadium, the presence of stadium seating and jumbotrons made it a noteworthy test. Additionally, the venue's elevation of 5,200 feet above sea level added complexity, as it is one of North America's highest cities.
While some may perceive the demonstration flight as a publicity stunt, Bass highlighted that it was also an opportunity to showcase Wing's scaling plans and its recently announced Wing Delivery Network operating model. The company aims to build trust and reliability among communities by expanding its drone delivery service to an increasing number of locations.
"With our Wing Delivery Network operating model announced earlier this year, we want to show just how ready the technology is to deliver nearly anywhere," Bass explained. He further emphasized that the Denver skyline in the background served as a visual confirmation of Wing's capabilities in urban environments.
Wing has achieved significant milestones with over 300,000 deliveries in Australia, Finland, and various towns in Virginia and Texas, while also preparing for operations in Ireland. As one of the most active drone transporters for retail food clients globally, Wing plans to further scale its network. However, serving fans in baseball parks, despite the appeal, is not part of their expansion strategy due to regulatory complexities involved.
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