Autonomous drone delivery company Zipline launched in Round Rock Oct. 8.
Customers within a three-mile zone from 3000 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock, will be able to begin placing orders Oct. 9, said Zach Hill, who leads community engagement for the company.
How it works
Similar to other delivery services, customers can place orders from restaurants and businesses using the Zipline app.
The drone will then fly to the business, where an employee can load purchased items into the delivery pod. Representatives from Zipline said drones have a delivery weight limit of about five pounds.
Zipline drones fly at about 300 feet. The drone lowers delivery pods via tether to customers' backyards or other specified locations.
The big picture
Round Rock is the company's first delivery zone in Central Texas, Hill said. The business is also the first commercial drone delivery service in the Austin area.
Zipline got its start in 2016, delivering medical supplies and blood donations in Rwanda, Hill said. The company launched its commercial delivery service in January, with operations already in the Houston and Dallas areas.
The local impact
Zipline representatives demonstrated how the delivery service works at Round Rock ISD's Stony Point High School. Hill said the company choose this campus for the demonstration and partnered with it because it offers a drone aviation program.
While the partnership is in its earliest stages, Hill said there are likely opportunities for collaboration related to the district's career and technology programs, such as engineering, robotics and drone aviation.
"We're excited to kick off this partnership today and bring you all in for that journey," Hill said.
What's next?
Hill said Zipline's service area is expected to expand to other parts of the city and the greater Austin metro.
