Wing, the drone delivery company owned by Alphabet, has agreed a partnership with the Japanese telecoms group KDDI and its drone unit, KDDI Smart Drone, to bring drone delivery to Japan. The companies announced the deal on 26 and 27 October.
Nothing is flying yet. The partners aim to start deliveries in some areas of Japan in 2027; Wing says “by the end of 2027”. KDDI says the first goods will be food and daily necessities, including products from the Lawson convenience store chain, with over-the-counter medicines and small retail items also in scope.
Under the deal, Wing supplies its autonomous drones, its flight operations system and automated ground equipment. KDDI handles the mobile network, regulatory approvals and partnerships with local governments and businesses. KDDI Smart Drone already controls drones over 4G mobile signals, which KDDI says makes safe long-distance flights possible.
Why it matters: both companies point to Japan’s shrinking pool of delivery drivers as the reason. It is a plan rather than a service, and no locations or delivery volumes have been named yet.
Sources: Wing, KDDI (Japanese)