CU Launches Urban Drone Delivery Service

BGF Retail, which operates the convenience store CU, announced on the 1st that it will participate in the ‘2023 Drone Demonstration City Construction Project’ together with two local governments, Seongnam City and Taean County. This marks the first time in the industry that CU is implementing drone delivery services in urban areas.

Drone engaged in urban drone delivery service.
[Photo by BGF Retail]

BGF Retail is participating in a consortium with Seongnam City and Taean County to support the commercialization of drone delivery services. Starting today, delivery services will begin at two water playgrounds in Tancheon, Seongnam City. In September, drone delivery services between tourist facilities such as campgrounds and CU stores will also be prepared in collaboration with Taean County.

The Tancheon water playground in Seongnam City is a representative resting place for citizens. Delivery by car or motorcycle has been difficult due to the high risk of safety accidents, but with the introduction of drone delivery, it is now possible to fly safely over the stream, enabling fast and safe service.

The drone delivery service will operate by installing delivery bases to send products to Tancheon and delivery points to receive them. Citizens using the service will place orders via a dedicated QR code for delivery orders. The service is available from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Accordingly, CU plans to operate seven drone-exclusive delivery sets composed of items mainly purchased by outdoor water playground customers.

The CU popular product limited set (11,000 KRW) includes Yonsei fresh cream bread, Korea University Mammoth bread, coffee beverages, and more. The children’s favorite set (11,000 KRW) contains Cheonhajangsa, chocolate snacks, My Gummy, and others. The old-fashioned dessert set (11,000 KRW) includes Neighbour’s Tongtongyi Yakgwa cookies and brownie Yakgwa cookies.

Min Changhak, head of CVS Lab at BGF Retail, said, “This drone demonstration city construction project is significant in supporting the potential of drone utilization businesses and the advancement of retail technology. We will continue various efforts to overcome regional and distance limitations by strengthening delivery services not only in terms of mobility but also to places difficult for people to access.”

Meanwhile, in April, a demonstration project using delivery robots from MOBINN, a startup spun off from Hyundai Motor Company’s in-house startup, was conducted. They improved indoor and outdoor driving performance and obstacle overcoming functions and are considering expanding operations in the future.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.