China's JD.com Set to Expand One Year Old Drone Delivery Service

As the US drags it's feet on allowing companies to make drone application a reality, China takes off as the nations second largest retailer hails the success of it's now one year old drone delivery program. JD.com, a Chinese online retailer who's popularity is only surpassed by Alibaba is looking to expand the scope of it's drone delivery program. Currently covering rural areas in Jiangsu, rural Beijing, Sichuan and Guangxi in 20 fixed routes, JD.com has announced plans to expand that number to 100 by the end of 2017.

JD.com could provide a model for US operators stalled by regulation as it's successful model has made delivery 70% cheaper, getting parcels to set distribution centers at a fraction of the time of a conventional truck.