Google is taking another stab at developing a delivery drone...and this time the tech giant is playing by completely by the rules.
After testing its X Project Wing concept drone in Australia and working on a new design in March, Google has filed documents with the Federal Aviation Administration to register two company-built UAVs, specified as the M2 and B3. The M2 was listed with the FAA on October 2, with the B3 officially joining the registry a few days later on October 7.
Google officially registering with the FAA is significant, considering The Guardian reported in August that the company skirted the Administration's rules by striking a deal with NASA via a Certificate of Waiver of Authorization to test its Project Wing UAV drone as a collaborative project. Essentially, Google found a loophole via the NASA exemption, otherwise, drones are banned from being tested over private U.S. land by the FAA.
This registry with the FAA basically spells that Google wants to play by the rules and push the envelope further on producing two company-designed delivery drones.
The FAA's website lists each the M2 and B3 as a UAV weighing up to 55 pounds. If it fits in line with The Guardian's report from two months ago, these Google drones might be capable of hitting speeds up to 100 miles per hour.
It remains to be seen how Google plans to implement these drones, but between past testing and these two new registered designs, they're definitely moving forward...not to mention up and away on the project.
