MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) have signed an agreement with transport network vehicle service provider Grab Philippines (Grab) and Megaworld to explore the use of drone technology for deliveries.
In a statement on Tuesday, Grab said a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed between the four entities to set the stage for future pilot activities and provide opportunities to examine possible use cases and learnings, and to build public awareness of drone-enabled services.
“The initiative is designed to test whether unmanned aerial vehicles can transform urban logistics in one of the region’s most densely populated environments, exploring the potential of faster fulfillment of time-sensitive items by sidestepping traffic bottlenecks,” it said.
The pilot program will explore a hybrid delivery model, where Grab riders will handle pickups and drop-offs to and from dedicated drone landing stations, while drones will handle in-between journeys.
Grab managing director Ronald Roda said the pilot goes beyond showcasing innovation and is instead an exploration of new technologies that could help improve service to communities.
“This pilot is an opportunity for us to learn and understand how drone deliveries might work in the Philippine context, from dense urban neighborhoods to underserved areas. We’re optimistic about the insights this pilot will bring,” Roda said.
During the signing ceremony at the DICT Digital Bayanihan Roadshow in Dumaguete City on June 18, DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon highlighted the potential of drones in improving vehicular traffic in the country.
“Drone logistics is one of the tools that can help us move faster, smarter and more sustainably. This pilot reflects the kind of innovation we want to encourage as we build a truly modern transport ecosystem, without compromising the safety and security of our air transport,” Dizon said.
SOURCE: PNA
