Google is working on all sorts of robotics these days, and it should come as no surprise that the mysterious Google X has been working on a drone delivery service. Unlike most other companies who are testing this sort of unmanned aerial aircraft, Google Wing is experimenting with multiple variations on the drone concept to figure out which would be the most suitable for flying around and delivering things to people.
An exclusive look by The Atlantic brought the previously unheard of project into the limelight as Google X technicians explained the work that has been going into building the drones. What is impressive is that this has been going on for two years with barely any hint of a rumour reaching the public.
The current Google Wing drone is a tailsitting aircraft that is able to take of vertically and then fly horizontally. A design that was deemed not suitable for human pilots as they could not properly adjust to the change of orientation in the middle of the flight. Remotely operated drones do not have this problem. Despite this, Google Wing engineers are still testing traditional fixed and rotary wing drones to see which would suit their purposes best.
Delivery systems currently being tested include lowering the package from a winch to avoid having to land and endanger the drone. The project had apparently tested a more ballistic method of delivery which involved just dropping the cargo, but dropped the idea when they almost hit Google co-founder Sergey Brin in the head.
[Source: The Atlantic]
