Bengaluru has officially joined the drone delivery revolution, allowing residents to receive medicines, parcels, and essential items within minutes. The service, launched by Skye Air, is currently available in Konankunte and Kanakapura Road and aims to expand soon.
After years of discussions about drones and air taxis, Bengaluru has finally rolled out its first hyperlocal drone delivery service. The drones can deliver packages in just seven minutes, significantly reducing wait times compared to traditional road transport.
Skye Air CEO Ankit Kumar confirmed that the company has secured airspace approval for operating drones at an altitude of 120 meters in designated corridors. While restricted areas like military zones are off-limits, the company is coordinating with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for smooth operations.
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How Drone Delivery Works
The drones, named Skye Ship One, are designed for high-capacity logistics and can carry up to 10 kg per trip. Upon reaching the delivery location, they descend to 20 meters and use the Skye Winch system to safely lower the package at a designated drop zone, ensuring a smooth and contactless delivery.
To maintain efficiency and safety, Skye Air uses Skye UTM, an advanced unmanned traffic management system that autonomously directs drones while avoiding obstacles.
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Bengaluru Follows Gurugram’s Footsteps
Interestingly, despite Bengaluru’s tech dominance, Gurugram was the first Indian city to launch a commercial drone delivery service. The first successful drone delivery in Sector 92, Gurugram, covered 7.5 km in just 3-4 minutes, compared to 15 minutes by road. In the past year, Skye Air has completed over one million deliveries in Gurugram, which encouraged its expansion to Bengaluru.
Eco-Friendly & Future Plans
Skye Air estimates that each drone delivery reduces 520 grams of carbon emissions, making it an environmentally friendly alternative to road transport. The company has already partnered with major logistics firms like Bluedart, DTDC, Shiprocket, and Ecom Express and plans to introduce food delivery services soon.
If the Bengaluru operations run smoothly, the service will soon expand to Bannerghatta Road and other high-demand areas.
With drone deliveries now a reality, Bengaluru is set to witness a major transformation in logistics, offering faster, cleaner, and more efficient delivery solutions.
WITH PTI INPUTS
