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Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s a drone carrying your burrito and that pair of trainers you ordered…
Both Google and Amazon appear to be accelerating their game plans for drones, specifically looking to revolutionise the consumer delivery industry. Amazon was caught up in little social media storm on April Fool’s Day, as a skilled animator and prankster created a video of a branded blimp releasing hundreds of delivery drones. Whilst a hoax, it was inspired by a legitimate patent for an aerial Amazon warehouse. Less dystopian (in the words of one Twitter commenter) than blimps is the ongoing ‘Prime Air’ program, which is by no means ready for the consumer, but still locatable on the Amazon website. Luckily (to keep your shopping prices down), the competition seems ready for takeoff! The ‘Google Wing’ program is set to roll out Down Under after a 3,000 delivery trial. Drones were delivering everything from prescription medications to takeaway orders, opening the door to a new era of consumer laziness.
Meanwhile in China (always a potentially juicy segue…) companies are trying a completely different model when fighting to win the hearts of Beijing’s convenience consumers. They offer hugely discounted prices on restaurant takeaway food (reportedly up to 70% cheaper!) While it’s hard to see how long such negative margins could last, it’s clearly fuelling a massive takeaway culture in Beijing. So, which model would work better, say, near the London office of your favourite startup job board. The question we’re left with as consumers is: do we want our cheaper or easier? (We say both!)
Amazon’s crazy delivery-drone blimp, as imagined by a video artist
This video made the rounds on April Fool’s Day, of a ‘Amazon Blimp’ firing out delivery drones, causing a huge stir on social media of course. What is truly worrying/interesting about this, is that this is based on a legitimate patent from Amazon. Dystopian future? Yes please!
Google’s Wing drones approved to make public deliveries in Australia
True to form, Google/alphabet are thinking on a similar vein, and plan to roll out their long-trialed drone delivery to Australia. Finally allowing the good people of Australia peak laziness with their food, medicine and product deliveries!
The World’s Greatest Delivery Empire
In China, Meituan is following a completely different business strategy for food delivery; the cheaper the better! Offering restaurant food at hard-to-believe discounts. No wonder the people of Beijing are increasingly ordering in three meals per day!
These are some of our favourite startup jobs this week:
- Founder Associate at Revolut Ltd in London
- Country Manager (The Netherlands) at Adzuna in London
- People Partner at Monzo in London
- Senior Content Executive Content Manager at Fixflo in London
- Social Media Analyst at Astroscreen in London
- Senior Product Manager at carwow in London
- Growth Marketing Analyst at iwoca ltd in London
- Customer Support Associate at Marvel in London
- SEO Specialist at Move Digital in London
- CTO/Head Of Technology at Super Snaps in London
- Business Development Manager Sales Executive at Zodiac Media in London
- Marketing Manager at Engine Shed in Bristol
- Senior Marketing Executive at Thrivemap in London/Brighton
- Head Of Marketing Flexible/Part Time at Mentor Education in London
- Data Analyst at TRX in London
- Associate Product Manager at TRX in London
- Lead Developer at TheHouseShop.com in London
- Mid-level Software Engineer at Snaptrip in London
- Production Manager (Temporary – 4 Months) at Yearbook Machine in London
- Senior Unity Developer For Mixed Reality at Holomeeting in London
- Head Of Marketing at Holomeeting in London
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Happy Hunting! Happy Hiring!