Zipline, a drone-based delivery services provider, unveiled its next-generation electric autonomous drone platform called “P2 Zip,” which is capable of dispatching a droid from the drone for last-inch delivery. The company expects to launch the platform commercially in early 2024, with plans to begin testing the system later this year.

The drone is capable of carrying a maximum payload of eight lbs covering a 10-mile radius. Upon arrival at the destination, the droid descends on a tether and navigates using fan-like thrusters to deliver the packages for retrieval. 

Like the original “P1” version, P2 is also a fixed-wing drone but comes equipped with four propellers that allow the drone to hover in mid-air, facilitating vertical takeoff and landing. The drones also feature docking and charging hardware that can be fixed onto a building or set up separately. It also includes software that can be integrated with third-party inventory management and ordering systems and an app that provides real-time order tracking.

The company’s existing partners including Intermountain Health, MultiCare Health System, and the Government of Rwanda have already announced plans to expand their partnerships to incorporate the new delivery system.

Zipline will continue to produce and use its P1 drone as well, as P1s are capable of flying longer distances (60-mile radius), even though they can carry payloads of only up to five lbs. The original version dispatches cargo using a parachute vs. the droids dispatched in the latest version.