A CGI illustration of how the smart drone delivery hatch could work Image © ( Idu Group )

SOURCE EsiMedia/Mark Blunden/Standard :. “Smart” delivery hatches built into homes are being developed so that parcels can be delivered by drone.

The skylight hatches could be both fitted or designed into the roofs of homes so customers can receive packages even when they are out.

Start-up Idu Group hopes the innovation can help cut the time it takes for internet shopping to arrive to 30 minutes after ordering.

It is testing the “smart drop boxes” cut into buildings, which contain wireless receivers to talk to the drone and beam updates to the owner’s smart speaker.

The delivery of a parcel could be signed off electronically — spelling an end to the disruption of having to be at home to receive a parcel.

The designers believe allowing a drone to air drop rather than land will also allow them to fly longer and make more deliveries by not having to land as often.

The smart skylights are being prototyped before manufacture next year.

Delivery drones remain illegal in built-up areas under Civil Aviation Authority rules, but it is expected this could be relaxed in future.

The Government this year announced £28 million funding for tests of commercial “quadcopters” to drop medical supplies to frontline health workers fighting coronavirus.

Kevin Duckers, the firm’s co-founder, said: “The environmental impact is better than the man-in-a-van. It’s the convenience of being able to get that parcel in 30 minutes.”

Images and quotes courtesy https://www.standard.co.uk