Google’s drone delivery service just got approved for public use in Australia

Image: Ulrich Baumgarten / Getty Images

Drone deliveries have been the subject of many a flashy promo video over the years, but until now, they haven’t been available for everyone to use whenever they want. That’s still the case in most of the world, but one part of Australia just won the ability to get things delivered through the air.

Limited drone deliveries courtesy of Wing are now available in Australia’s capital city of Canberra, the drone service announced on Monday. Wing is part of Alphabet, making it one of Google’s corporate siblings.

At first, Wing drone deliveries will only be available in three suburbs: Palmerston, Franklin and Crace. It’ll gradually expand its offering over time, but for now, Wing’s deliveries sound somewhat limited.

They can deliver food, over-the-counter drugs and coffee, but only during daytime and without flying over major roads, according to The Guardian. Wing was able to win regulatory approval from Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority after nearly five years of tests in the country.

Even though it’s only useful for a few things in a small corner of the world, Wing’s Australian launch is important for a couple of reasons. It’s one of the first high-profile drone delivery options to get approved for public use anywhere, which is significant on its own. 

However, it also gives Alphabet a leg up over tech rival Amazon. That company has made strides in the drone delivery market over the years with some highly visible trials, including a ground-based delivery robot operating in Washington state. 

Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos once said his company could offer public drone deliveries by the end of 2018, but that still hasn’t happened. An Amazon spokesperson told the Associated Press late last year that the company was still committed to that goal. 

As for Wing, the Alphabet drone division has its sights set on making deliveries in Finland this year, too. Here’s to hoping people’s lunch and coffee orders can navigate the skies unharmed.