UK-based technology group Cambridge Consultants has developed a new drone delivery concept, DelivAir, which is designed to deliver a package directly into the hands of its recipient.

DelivAir uses a patent-pending two-stage routing process to make safe and direct deliveries to the receiver.

The process of delivery begins when DelivAir starts using GPS to locate a person through a smartphone.

It also asks for secure location updates during the flight until it arrives within visual range.

The drone then switches to precision optical tracking and a 3D imaging and ranging system to locate as well as verify the recipient.

When the drone reaches the delivery area, the recipient is required to point their mobile phone’s flash at the drone, which blinks a coded pattern to verify them.

The drone moves directly above the flash and hovers at a safe distance above ground to lower the package down into the recipient’s hands.

The vehicle uses a stabilising winch to keep the package steady and returns to its base once the delivery is completed.

"Our DelivAir concept has the potential to revolutionise the delivery process by removing the address restriction that other drone technologies are limited by."

Cambridge Consultants industrial and energy business head Nathan Wrench said: “Drone delivery is fast and ideal for something that is needed immediately.

“Our DelivAir concept has the potential to revolutionise the delivery process by removing the address restriction that other drone technologies are limited by.

"We are taking cloud retail to the next level, delivering out of the clouds and into your hand.”

According to Cambridge Consultants, DelivAir can also be used to deliver first aid kits, various medical supplies, and other items in remote regions or during disaster response missions.

Image: Cambridge Consultants’ DelivAir drone delivery concept. Photo: courtesy of Cambridge Consultants Ltd and Cambridge Consultants Inc.