Akihabara News (Tokyo) — Three companies including Seven-Eleven Japan are collaborating on practical tests within Tokyo of a drone delivery service for customers of convenience store outlets.
Aside from Seven-Eleven Japan, All Nippon Airways (ANA) will operate the drones, and the drone-maker itself, ACSL, will also lend a hand.
The tests will take place from November 29-December 19 with Seven-Eleven’s Hinode-Oguno store (between Hachioji and Okutama) as the hub. Products ordered through the Seven-Eleven Net Convenience Store will be delivered to four delivery destinations within Hinode town, including local parks and a hospital.
The drones will be loaded with the purchased products by the actual Seven-Eleven store staff.
The convenience store is also installing the needed drone takeoff and landing site.
Orders will be accepted from 9:00 to 16:00, and the drone shipping fee will be ¥110 (US$1) including tax.
ANA will play the most difficult part, operating the drones, issuing the delivery notifications, and generally coordinating the whole operation.
ACSL will provide technical support for the operation of the drone, while NTT Docomo will offer use of its LTE network.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government is playing its part by excluding these tests from the usual ban on Level 4 drone flights in which the operator flies over a populated area outside of visual range.
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