China’s Geely will deliver car keys via drone to expand social distancing – Roadshow

Geely drone delivery — Car delivery without any human contact.

Geely

In China, new car buyers may receive their set of car keys to their new vehicle from a drone, rather than a human being — at least that's a new policy at Geely.

Coronavirus updates

Geely, one of China's major domestic automakers, highlighted the precautions its staff take to keep car buyers protected from the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. While some of the steps are standard (disinfecting new cars, ensuring delivery staff wear proper equipment), one is pretty radical: Drones.

Geely expanded its contactless delivery system with the ability to send new cars to a buyer's home or place of work. The newly expanded system will allow drones to delivery car keys to buyers, and the machines can fly right up to someone's door or balcony. There, a new owner will receive a small pouch with the car key inside without a trace of human contact.

Thorough disinfection and even ionization, Geely is going above and beyond in ensuring our customers have a safe and healthy purchase experience. We're taking contactless purchasing to the next level with drone key deliveries. https://t.co/iK4gxi37L5 pic.twitter.com/HSYRoSLO4D

— Geely Worldwide (@GeelyWorldwide) March 23, 2020

The automaker said it sold 10,000 cars online rather than via a dealership in February. The company turns these orders into leads for dealers, who then manage the order and prepare the car for home delivery. Could something like this process work in the US? Probably not, at least not right now.

Although companies have certainly explored the possibility of drone deliveries, regulations keep low-flying aircraft out of the sky at higher levels. Perhaps one day we'll be able to buy a car without any human contact, but today is not that day.