Canadian e-commerce site Shop.ca said it is partnering with Drone Delivery Canada to test an “unmanned aerial vehicles” delivery service program for “customers who desire immediate product delivery.”
The launch of the drone delivery service also involves integrating the program into the e-tailer’s logistics platform, and “will be commercially available to customers of Shop.ca once all necessary government approvals have been obtained,” the company said.
The use of drones to fulfill customer orders follows a similar program unveiled by Amazon.com last year. In a letter to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in July of last year, Amazon’s vice president of global public policy Paul Misener said the new delivery service — called Prime Air — would use drones to deliver products to shoppers in 30 minutes or less.
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In March, the FAA said it would allow Amazon to test drones and last month chief executive officer Jeff Bezos said drones making deliveries would be as “common as seeing a mail truck.” Still, the ceo said the program has a long, regulatory road ahead.
With the Shop.ca rollout, it’s unclear how long the regulatory process will take. Trevor Newell, president and founder of Shop.ca, described the drone service as a milestone for the company. “By embracing Drone Delivery Canada’s next generation drone technology we are further fortifying our commitment to innovation and adding value to our customers,” he said.
Shop.ca sells a broad variety of goods including apparel, jewelry, home goods and electronics.
The idea of drone delivery seems to be gaining steam. In July, the FAA successfully tested a delivery of medical supplies using a drone. And when Google revealed its business transformation into Alphabet last month, the company said its Google Wing drone delivery program would be included in the new company structure.
Aside from the regulatory hurdles, there are other challenges, too. In its current design, Amazon’s program would require a weight limit no greater than five pounds. Orders have to be within 10 miles of an Amazon fulfillment center. Also, drones are currently limited to daytime use only, and are subject to weather limitations.