Former Royal Mail boss wants to deliver letters by drone

Windracers and Royal Mail have already carried out tests to deliver mail to remote British islands. Photo: Katili Arrowsmith

The former CEO of Royal Mail has taken the helm of an autonomous drone launch, arguing that the technology could reduce the cost of parcel delivery.

Simon Thompson has been appointed CEO of Windracers, a UK drone company , which already cooperates with Royal Mail. deliver letters to the Isles of Scilly, Orkney and Shetland.

Mr Thompson, a former Ocado and Apple boss, left Royal Mail last year after two years at the helm of the postal service — a period during which he clashed with unions and MPs over the strike.

His appointment to Windracers, founded in 2017 based on research from the University of Southampton, comes amid a surge in interest in drone delivery in the UK.

Amazon plans to start flying in the UK this year, and The Telegraph last month reported that drones from Google subsidiary Wing were scheduled to fly to London as early as this summer.

Mr Thompson said drones represented one of the biggest opportunities to disrupt the $217bn (£173bn) global parcel logistics market, adding the technology was key to «giving people what they want.» no matter where they live, at significantly lower costs than they experience today.»

It comes as London-listed Royal Mail seeks to reform its universal service obligation — Royal Mail's legal obligation to deliver letters to all UK addresses six days a week — amid falling letter delivery rates.

Also In addition, Daniel Kretinsky, a Czech billionaire, is trying to take the postal service's parent company International Distribution Services private in a multibillion-dollar deal.Mr Thompson says drones represent one of the biggest opportunities to disrupt the $200 billion global parcel logistics market

Mr Thompson said: “We all want what we want, when we want it, no matter where we live – we have the opportunity to use our technology to make this an affordable reality for everyone.”

Windracers and Royal Mail have jointly tested mail delivery from the UK mainland to islands that typically suffer from more slow delivery.

Windracer drones can carry 100 kg over 1000 km

The company's autonomous drones, which take off and land like an airplane, have a wingspan of 10 meters and can carry up to 100 kg per 1000 km.

They are more likely to be used for bulk deliveries to delivery centers rather than dropping letters and parcels at doors.

Today The company has secured £30 million in funding, largely from government grants.

< p>The company has been working with the Royal Navy on trials in which drones could transport cargo between ships and the British Antarctic Survey for scientific research.

Windracers, founded by former private investor Steven Wright, said its drones could also be used to deliver humanitarian aid or fight wildfires.

Mr Thompson said drone technology The present time is ahead of regulations, “but this will not happen soon.”

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