The ARK40 drone developed by SF Express.
Headquartered delivery services and logistics company SF Express Co. launched its intracity drone instant delivery service in some pilot areas in Nanshan and Futian districts Friday, Shenzhen Economic Daily reported.
According to SF Express, the service provides door-to-door delivery with the ARK40 drone developed by the firm. The unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can transport up to 10 kilograms of items at a time and its average speed can reach 50 kilometers per hour.
For the first order, an SF UAV took off from Skyworth Building in Nanshan and arrived at the Xiangmi branch of China Construction Bank Corp. in Futian. The transit time was only 29 minutes for 11 kilometers, while regular ground delivery takes 50 minutes. The service costs 29.4 yuan (US$4.4) after the drone service charge was waived.
With the UAV instant delivery shortening transport time and improving efficiency, the service is expected to play a key role in transporting medical supplies for the blood bank during emergencies, and conducting genetic testing and nucleic acid testing, SF Express said.
In addition, drone delivery has become a new solution for urgent delivery of goods within the city, and is regarded as a crucial business for the company’s intelligent delivery network sector.
Those interested can experience the service by placing an order via the 顺丰同城 app or WeChat miniprogram. The service hours are between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and the drone service charge will be waived until May 26.
