Drones to Deliver Snacks at Japanese Golf Course
The golfers will use their cell phones to ask for refreshment and other essential articles such as golf balls, which will be delivered by drones from a station located close to the golf course.
The drone development has been undertaken by a company called Autonomous Control Systems Laboratory, or ACSL, from the University of Chiba, which, according to a Rakuten announcement Monday, will receive investment from the latter by way of underwriting a capital increase, whose amount was not revealed.
Rakuten also plans to employ the ACSL drones in other golf courses, as well for its e-commerce platforms.
ACSL President Kenzo Nonami told public broadcaster NHK Monday he hopes the service marks the beginning of an innovation boom.
Rakuten announced at the beginning of March it was set to begin testing a home-delivery service using drones along with transport company Yamato Transport.
During the trials, the drones will fly over uninhabited areas to study the impact of environmental factors on the flight and will also conduct trials of package pick-ups from logistical centers, in order to make a goods delivery system functional by 2020.
To make this work, however, the Japanese government will have to enact a new law to standardize routes, given that current aviation law in the country prohibits flying drones over populated residential areas without official permission, as also regulate goods that are permitted for such transport.
