Wing and Walgreens plan to test drone delivery program

CHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA — Alphabet's Wing is partnering with Walgreens to test a drone delivery pilot program in southwest Virginia this fall.

Wing says the program is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program and will be one of the most advanced drone delivery trials ever conducted in the United States.

Each drone weighs around 5 kg and can carry packages weighing up to 1.5 kilograms, according to Wing's website. The drones are able to fly around 20 kilometers per round trip.

The drone will be capable of delivering over-the-counter medicines and other health products from Walgreens within minutes of a customer placing an order, according to a Medium blog post by Wing.

The drone hovers around 7 meters above the ground and slowly lowers the package that is attached to a line.

The package automatically disconnects from the line when goods touch the ground. The drone then flies away, allowing the customer to pick up their package.

Customers living in the area will be able to sign up for the pilot program on Wing's website.