Seven-Eleven Japan tests drone delivery service

A major Japanese convenience store chain and a leading airline have teamed up to test a delivery service using drones.

Seven-Eleven Japan and ANA Holdings lead a group that has been holding tests since late November in Hinode a sparsely populated area in western Tokyo.

The drone is about 2 meters long, and can carry goods up to 5 kilograms.

In the test, convenience store staff received orders online and loaded the items, including tea and onigiri rice balls, on to the drone.

The drone takes off from a Seven-Eleven parking lot, and can deliver goods to four designated places, including a park 2 kilometers away.

Seven-Eleven aims to put the drone delivery service into practical use focusing on less-populated areas.

The company wants to start the service by fiscal 2025, offering deliveries within 30 minutes.