Zipline began its new service with an inaugural food delivery in Round Rock, the first step in a broader expansion across the Austin area.
Students on Stony Point High School’s drone team placed and received the first official order during Thursday’s launch event. Zipline also announced a partnership with the Round Rock Independent School District to connect students with employees through career fairs, facility tours and other activities. Initially, the service is limited to about 5,000 residents who can sign up for Zipline’s First Flight membership, which waives service and delivery fees.
The company said its service will expand from Round Rock to Austin over the coming months.
“Zipline’s decision to serve Round Rock residents as its first Austin location is evidence that Williamson County has developed into an important technology center,” Williamson County Judge Steven Snell said in a statement. “Williamson County’s tech footprint continues to expand. Zipline’s drone delivery is bringing fast and convenient solutions to improve everyday life for WilCo residents.”
Zipline uses fully autonomous drones to bring orders directly to customers from partners stores such as Chipotle, Walmart, Crumbl Cookies, local restaurants and pharmacies.
After a customer places an order, the store prepares it while a nearby drone charges at a docking site. Once the order is ready, the aircraft launches and flies to about 300 feet above the store.
Hovering overhead, it lowers a temperature-controlled pod by cable. Store employees either place the order inside or use a passcode-protected drop box that allows the drone to retrieve it automatically.
The drone then carries the order to the customer, lowering it by cable into a designated drop-off location such as a front or backyard. Customers can track the delivery through the company’s app, Hill said.
Zipline can also deliver to apartment and office buildings using communal drop-off areas or sidewalks.
During deliveries, the drones produce sound levels of less than 60 decibels — about as loud as a dishwasher running in the next room. The drones’ pods can carry about 8 pounds on round trips of about 10 miles.