UPS tests out drone deliveries over the Atlantic
While some companies see drones as disruptive to their business others see them as a new opportunity, UPS is in the latter camp
Key takeaways
- One of the world's largest package delivery companies is stepping up efforts to integrate drones into its system.
- UPS has partnered with robot-maker CyPhy Works to test the use of drones to make commercial deliveries to remote or difficult-to-access locations.
- The drone flew on a programmed route for 3 miles over the Atlantic Ocean to deliver an inhaler at Children's Island.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2016) 'UPS tests out drone deliveries over the Atlantic', 311 Institute, 24 September. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/ups-tests-out-drone-deliveries-over-the-atlantic/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
One of the world's largest package delivery companies is stepping up efforts to integrate drones into its system.
UPS has partnered with robot-maker CyPhy Works to test the use of drones to make commercial deliveries to remote or difficult-to-access locations.
The companies began testing the drones on Thursday, when they launched one from the seaside town of Marblehead. The drone flew on a programmed route for 3 miles over the Atlantic Ocean to deliver an inhaler at Children's Island.
The successful landing was greeted by jubilant shouts from CyPhy Works and UPS employees on the island to witness the test.
"I thought it was fantastic," said John Dodero, UPS vice president for industrial engineering.
CyPhy Works founder Helen Greiner, who previously co-founded robot-maker iRobot, said the drone tests with UPS allow her company to gather engineering and cost information and then work with UPS to look at where drones can add the most value to UPS' extensive network.
Still, the robot-maker doesn't see drones replacing delivery trucks, bikes, buggies or gondolas anytime soon.
"Drones aren't going to take the place of all delivery, but there are places where you have inaccessible location, an emergency situation where the infrastructure is down, you want or need the package quickly — these are the areas where drones will be the best way to get a package to a location," Greiner said.
It's not all clear skies for drones, though.
Newly revised Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) regulations don't permit commercial drones to fly over people not involved in their operations and require them to remain within line of sight of their operators at all times, effectively rendering commercial deliveries impossible. But those restrictions aren't keeping drone-makers and their partners from racing to develop technology suitable for commercial deliveries while they work with regulators to tweak existing rules and UPS isn't the only company testing drones.
Wal-Mart is testing drones it says will help it manage its warehouse inventory more efficiently, Amazon.com is testing them for home delivery and even 7-Eleven got in on the act with the first FAA authorised drone delivery earlier this year.
FAQ
Why does this matter?
While some companies see drones as disruptive to their business others see them as a new opportunity, UPS is in the latter camp
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
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Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 24 September 2016. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2016). UPS tests out drone deliveries over the Atlantic. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/ups-tests-out-drone-deliveries-over-the-atlantic/
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