This US firm uses drones to deliver your packages: American based drone manufacturer Zipline, has unveiled its new drone, which provides autonomous home delivery as part of a new platform, according to a statement. The drone (Zip) can deliver packages weighing up to 6-8 lbs to homes within cities and suburbs, with an expected delivery time estimated to be 7x faster than traditional delivery. The drones can fly more than 300 ft above the ground, and travel within a 10 mile service radius, the statement says. Customers can start using the platforms once the pilot phase — which will see some 100 Zips tested with around 10k test flights — ends.

How does the platform work? The platform will allow merchants to load the drones with their orders and send them off to the precise location. It can also provide customers the option of scheduling their deliveries. Each Zip has a 10-mile service radius while carrying a normal payload for out-and-back deliveries from a single dock. It can also fly up to 24 miles one way from dock to dock, charging at each dock before picking up its next delivery.

Who’s signed up? Several companies have already signed on to use the delivery platform, including US based companies Sweetgreen, Michigan Medicine, Intermountain Health, MultiCare Health System,who will use the platform for mainly delivery of prescriptions and medical devices. Rwanda will also use the service to provide last mile delivery to homes, hotels and health facilities, the statement says.

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