The first package delivery to a U.S. customer via fully autonomous drone occurred earlier this month, and Amazon wasn’t the one to do it. Any other guesses? No? Here’s a hint: the delivery consisted of Slurpees, a chicken sandwich, donuts, coffee and candy. Who else would do that but 7-Eleven?
The convenience store partnered with Nevada-based startup Flirtey, which builds and operates its own drones sent on delivery missions.
“Drone delivery is the ultimate convenience for our customers and these efforts create enormous opportunities to redefine convenience,” said Jesus H. Delgado-Jenkins, 7-Eleven’s Chief Merchandising Officer, in a press release.
The convenience store already allows online ordering and delivery through other services, and 7-Eleven plans to expand this delivery method more widely in the future, depending on the changing U.S. regulations on drones.