Weird Ape completes first ever watch delivery by drone

Watch company Weird Ape has delivered the first watch by drone on 31 October in West Yorkshire.

The watches were delivered 45 minutes after ordering and the customer was notified by text that they had a drone delivery coming. They then laid out a pre-printed landing marker in a safe place.

The company decided to trial a drone delivery of two watches to a customer to test the technology and stay ahead of the competition.

Weird Ape believes that drone deliveries will be feasible in the future in rural locations.

Market research carried out by the watch company suggested that customers will be prepared to pay a premium to have their watch delivered within an hour for an important event.

The drone can travel at 20mph in a straight line which means it can reach remote locations much quicker and cheaper than conventional methods.

A Civil Aviation Authority license and special drone insurance was required to carry out the test.

Using a unique delivery system that’s been designed in house, up to two watches are dropped automatically when the drone touches down.

Stefan Kozikowski, founder, said: “Watches are small, light and high value making them ideal candidates for drone deliveries. One of the most challenging parts was building the payload delivery system. At first we were integrating a receiver and servos to open the hatch. This all needed additional power and added weight.

“Seeing us struggle with the design our accountant, an avid fisherman, suggested we create a much simpler design based on a bait dropper. This clever design didn’t require any of the complicated communications equipment, saving cost and weight.”