Malaysia’s First-Ever Drone Deliveries Arrive As AirAsia Unveils Testing Phase In Putrajaya
The project aims to explore the long-term viability of an urban drone delivery service in Malaysia.
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High tech drone delivery will soon be available for the Malaysian public!
Science, Technology & Innovation Minister Khairy Jamaluddin announced that he has tested out Malaysia’s first Extended Visual Line of Sight drone delivery in Cyberjaya over the weekend.
The drone delivery took flight as part of Teleport, AirAsia Digital’s logistics venture, in colloboration with the government’s Malaysian Global Innovation and Creativity Centre (MaGIC).
Right now, it is only in its testing phase at the National Technology and Innovation Sandbox (NTIS), a facility that allows researchers, innovators, startups and high-tech entrepreneurs to test their products, services, business models and delivery mechanisms in a live environment.
Malaysia’s first Extended Visual Line of Sight drone delivery today in Cyberjaya. I ordered two tshirts from @airasia and got it delivered in less than 5 mins. 6 months testing in @SandboxMalaysia for @CAA_Malaysia to enhance regulations. Then drone deliveries to you! pic.twitter.com/0yGTcnIGgK
— Khairy Jamaluddin 🇲🇾🌺 (@Khairykj) March 6, 2021
The project aims to explore the long-term viability of an urban drone delivery service in Malaysia.
However, there are also plenty of opportunities for the service outside of package delivery in urban areas.
The drone delivery of goods can be expanded and scaled up beyond e-commerce, such as delivery of essential or medical supplies to areas that are rural, remote, or affected by natural disasters.
Khairy Jamaluddin, Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation
CEO of airasia Group, Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, also notes that the expansion could potentially help provide employment opportunities for those who lost their jobs in the aviation industry, which has been heavily crippled by the pandemic.
Most importantly, this innovation will allow us to create new and high-tech job opportunities for Malaysians. The ability to pivot is part of our culture and while some are losing their jobs in aviation, we offer a second chance for them to build a new career with us through e-commerce.
Tan Sri Tony Fernandes, CEO of airasia Group
We will still need to wait before drones show up at our doorstep with our online purchases, however, as the project is currently only in its testing phase.
This first phase, lasting six months, will assess the capability, experience, approval process, deployment readiness, and service expansion of the drone operators. If all goes well, the service will be deployed and potentially expanded to the country.
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