Drone Delivery Straight to Your Backyard: Aha Partners with Flytrex to Expand On-Demand Service in Iceland
World’s first fully operational autonomous drone delivery system launches new routes and innovative “InAir” wire-drop directly to consumers’ backyards
(Reykjavík – August 7th, 2018) – Drone technology company Flytrex, in partnership with Aha.is, Iceland’s largest online marketplace, announced today the launch of 13 new routes for their autonomous on-demand urban drone delivery service to serve nearly half of Reykjavik. The upgraded service will also include an advanced “InAir” wire-drop system that will safely lower packages directly to consumers’ backyards – beginning with a limited number of addresses and expanding pending approval by property owners.
“We’re reaching new heights in Iceland,” said Yariv Bash, CEO and Co-Founder of Flytrex. “The people of Reykjavik can now order sushi or countless other consumer goods straight to their homes via drone. The city’s citizens have come to expect instantaneous, on-demand food delivery, and now, with our direct-to-consumer wire drops, we’re bringing the drone revolution to their doorsteps. Drone-based disruption is flying high, with Iceland as its runway.”
Until now, Flytrex’s drone system has been operating along one route, bridging by air two parts of the city separated by a large bay. Following a meticulous regulatory process with the Icelandic Transport Authority (ICETRA) and hundreds of successful flights to pre-assigned drop-off points, the system will now be able to reach nearly half the city of Reykjavik. The drones will be operating along a total of 13 routes. Each UAV is approved to fly up to 700 meters off its path to make backyard deliveries in select, approved neighborhoods. Flytrex aims to extend home deliveries to every resident in Reykjavik in the coming months.
In addition to the new routes and delivery areas, the introduction of the wire-drop feature takes consumer convenience to even greater heights. Once consumers arrive at the drop-off point – either on their property or at a designated public location – they can order the drones to gently lower the package to the ground through an easy-to-use app. Once the package touches down, the wire detaches from the drone, which then returns to the drone-port.
“Today’s consumer desires almost instantaneous deliveries, almost as fast as they can click a button to order,” said Maron Kristófersson, CEO of Aha. “Expanding our drone delivery service goes a long way towards meeting those sky-high expectations. We are thrilled to advance our partnership with Flytrex to a new level, leveraging their technology to ensure the best, fastest and safest possible drone delivery service for our customers. Reykjavik is the launch pad for drone advancement, and we’re proud to offer our customers this new standard of service.”
“We will see tremendous benefits when drone deliveries become mainstream – they provide faster delivery, are exponentially better for the environment, and each drone can replace at least 3-4 cars, reducing traffic and transport infrastructure requirements,” added Kristófersson. “While the service is still undergoing continual improvement, drone delivery will soon be the new normal.”
About Flytrex
Flytrex provides comprehensive autonomous drone delivery systems that enable any business, from SMBs to e-commerce giants, to integrate same-day autonomous drone delivery into their offering. From facilitating the regulatory process to providing the drones, a cloud-based drone management system, insurance and maintenance, Flytrex is an end-to-end drone logistics service spearheading the drone revolution. Headquartered in Tel Aviv, the Flytrex team has 50+ years aerospace and defense experience.
About Aha
Aha offers a white-label local marketplace platform, handling everything from product entry through online sales to instant deliveries. The company’s first marketplace, aha.is, opened for business in 2011 and is now the leading e-commerce marketplace in Iceland for hot food, groceries and products. Aha.is offers products from hundreds of sellers and provides deliveries to the customer in less than 90 minutes using electric cars and drones.
For more information on Aha:
Maron Kristofersson