RENO, Nev. (AP) — The city of Reno and the drone delivery company Flirtey have confirmed the first successful deliveries by multiple drones steered by a single operator under a federal program fast-tracking regulatory approvals for drone delivery nationwide.
City officials announced Wednesday Flirtey recently simulated the delivery of automated external defibrillators for cardiac arrest patients under the watch of FAA officials in conjunction with the administration's Drone Integration Pilot Program.
The 3-year program is intended to accelerate the safe integration of unmanned aerial vehicles into national airspace.
Flirtey CEO Matt Sweeney called it a "major milestone" that puts the company on track to gain approval to start sending consumer products by 2020 — including FedEx packages as well as medical and equipment and supplies by air across the country.
Reno is one of 10 governments nationally selected for the program.