Google dashes the dream of Starbucks deliveries by drone
Google drones delivering Starbucks coffee? Now that’s something that could really Make America Great Again. Unfortunately, that’s not happening either.
According to a Bloomberg report, Alphabet’s Project Wing unit has put the kibosh on a partnership with Starbucks.
The report says Google’s parent company is making cutbacks within the drone division and apparently delivering pumpkin spice lattes to office workers who can’t get out on their lunch breaks is no longer a priority.
Related: What is Project Wing and when will it take off?
In an email, a spokesperson for Alphabet X wrote: “
“What we’re doing now is developing the next phase of our technology, and as always are thinking in a very broad way about all the potential use cases for delivery by unmanned aerial systems.”
Although the Starbucks deliveries are off the table for now, Google is still on track with its plans for an express burrito service. In September it inked a deal with the Chipotle, the purveyors of marginally flavorful Mexican food.
Google’s drone strategy has shifted focus to the commercial market following early plans to delivery health cares supplies.
Alphabet is in direct competition with Amazon, who plans to deliver items from its online store through the Air Prime initiative.
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