Google & Facebook Make Drones Acceptable

The next steps to drone delivery?

Mark Zuckerberg’s recent demonstration of how Facebook drones and Virtual Reality could change the way consumers think about drones. Until now, much of the drone discussion has been how Amazon and others could reduce their costs, increase delivery speed and change the way we acquire our goods. Zuckerberg has upped the game by sharing real consumer benefits, having drones that fly higher (up to 65,000 feet), offer Internet service to just about every corner of the planet and can make watching movies or playing video games a one of a kind experience when coupled with Facebook’s Virtual Reality. Reminds me of Second Life a bit! But better.

Over at Google, their hopes rest on Project Wing a code name for the company’s drone delivery service it hopes to launch in 2017. a new patent filing gives us some insight on how their delivery plan could work: 

“Effectively the mobile delivery receptacles are remote boxes on the ground with wheels. They communicate and guide the drones in the sky via infrared beacons or lasers. Once located, the drone flies down to ground level and transfers its package into the mobile delivery receptacle, which then secures it and scurries off to a secure holding location.” So while you might not have a drone landing on your doorstep, this execution might be just the answer as many consumers and folks like the FAA are still a bit skeptical about the safety of drone deliveries.

Drone delivery will happen, and these two companies are doing a great job in making us feel more comfortable with the technology.  Let’s not forget Apple’s Newton failed miserably until the IPod took the same idea and made it consumer friendly.