Drones Are Suddenly Making Deliveries All Across Silicon Valley

If you want to catch a glimpse of where technology is trending, look no further than Silicon Valley. This area of California has long been associated with the Big Tech movement and is home to the headquarters of several industry titans.

So what’s going on in Silicon Valley these days? In a word: drones.

Dropping in

Amazon and other prominent online retailers have been toying with the notion of making deliveries via unmanned drone. On paper, it could be the most efficient and affordable method yet for sending items across town or even further.

But in reality, drone delivery is a pretty complex process and most efforts thus far have been limited to the drawing board. But a company based in (where else?) Silicon Valley might have figured out a way to break into the mainstream.

Matternet first received Federal Aviation Administration approval more than two years ago, and now its M2 drone is completing deliveries across Mountain View and Sunnyvale. Of course, this is currently just a pilot program — but the location certainly seems significant.

Limited menu

During this early stage, consumers shouldn’t expect the M2 drone to offer much variety. There are only a few items currently being offered through the pilot program, but it’s enough to pique the interest of even the most jaded Silicon Valley insiders.

It is big news, since Matternet now has the first non-military drone with FAA authorization to make deliveries.

No matter what you order, watching the drone’s automated process of lowering it to your doorstep is probably worth the hype. But Matternet’s M2 won’t waste any time after your package arrives — the drone can reportedly fly back to its hub, change out its battery, and head out on another delivery “in under 60 seconds.”

Chris Agee October 4th, 2024

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