JD.com, China's largest retailer, today announced the completion of the first drone flight approved by the Indonesian government – a major breakthrough for drone delivery in Southeast Asia. The successful pilot project opens the door for future commercial use of drones in Indonesia and the Southeast Asia region, subject to additional regulatory approvals. Representatives from the Indonesian Ministry of Transport, Civil Aviation and Air Navigation were present for the flight. The news was announced at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum.
The test flight took place on January 8, 2019 in West Java, Indonesia, where the drone flew from Jagabita Village, Parung Panjang, to MIS Nurul Falah Leles Primary School to deliver backpacks and books to students. The drone-delivered items were part of a larger donation of supplies from JD.com to the school. JD has a long history of philanthropic support to those in the communities where it operates. The company often leverages its technology and national logistics network to provide immediate assistance in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes in China.
JD.com and its JV partner, e-commerce company JD.ID, were the first to introduce high-quality e-commerce in Indonesia. JD.ID, which launched its e-commerce operations in 2016, sells 1 million SKUs and serves more than 20 million consumers across the country. Its operations rely on a logistics network consisting of ten warehouses spread across seven islands, covering 483 cities and 6,500 counties. Given that the country is spread across many islands, the implementation of drones for regular use in e-commerce deliveries, as well as other logistics-related services, will enable Indonesian citizens to enjoy more efficient and reliable services and help JD.ID achieve its goal of being able to deliver 85% of orders on the same or next day. JD.ID is also committed to leveraging its logistics and other resources to support humanitarian efforts such as earthquake relief.
“It is a privilege to have contributed to this important moment in Indonesia’s history,” said Jon Liao, Chief Strategy Officer at JD.com. “We have been using drones for real deliveries in China for over two years now and have seen the profound impact this technology can have on people's lives across the country. We look forward to working closely with the WEF and the Indonesian government to harness the full potential of this technology and provide more convenience to Indonesian citizens.”
JD.com is a strategic partner of the WEF and a partner of the WEF Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. C4IR is a global, multi-stakeholder cooperation platform aimed at developing policy frameworks and advancing collaborations that accelerate the benefits of science and technology. Leveraging drone technology to deliver supplies to areas in need is high on the C4IR agenda. The WEF and JD worked closely together to ensure the success of the pilot project in Indonesia.
“This trial represents the first government-approved drone delivery operation in Indonesian history,” said Timothy Reuter, head of drones and tomorrow's airspace at the World Economic Forum. “These tests are an opportunity for Indonesia to become a leader in the Southeast Asian region by leveraging drone delivery to improve access to vital medical, humanitarian and commercial goods in remote areas.”
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