Delivering goods to people living in highly populated areas is most effective with a drone, and Melbourne is about to taste have a taste of this convenience.
Food delivery app DoorDash has launched drone delivery in dozens of suburbs in Melbourne. It’s teamed up with Wing drone to bring food to customers more conveniently and quickly.
“Melbourne has one of the best food scenes in the world,” says Wing. It calls it the food delivery capital of Australia. It is now the “largest metro area in Australia where Wing drone delivery is available.”
Thousands of residents will now be able to order deliveries on the DoorDash app and have food or small household items delivered by drone to their doorstep.
Regulatory approval
It’s taken so long to reach this point because of regulatory approval. However, Wing says it’s now received “updated regulatory approvals” from the Australian government.
“These changes allow a single pilot to oversee up to 50 drones in the air at any given time, an increase of over three times our prior approvals,” confirms Wing.
The Australian government gave the green light after a demonstration showcasing the safety of the aircraft, system, and operation. It also has a good track record of delivering to homes for the past five years.
Business opportunities
With 250,000 people accessing the DoorDash app to order food via drone deliveries, it’s a massive business opportunity for local restaurants in the area.
In a highly populated area, it makes sense to use drone deliveries for more efficient and precise delivery – even during peak hour traffic. With many office blocks in this delivery radius, more potential new customers can also be reached.
How the drone delivery works
The Wing drone autonomously makes its way to the delivery location at speeds of about 65 mph. Once it nears the spot, the drone slows down. It then hovers and descends to a delivery height of 23 feet above ground.
It then lowers the food package on a rope. The drone automatically releases the package when it “gently touches the ground.”
There is no need for a person to assist with the delivery process or unclip the parcel. It makes it ideal for deliveries even when a customer is not at home.
The drone then climbs to cruise height and returns to a Wing facility.
NOW READ: Milan’s SEA completes first electric drone cargo trial
Share this article
About the author
Mia is a multi-award-winning journalist. She has more than 14 years of experience in mainstream media. She's covered many historic moments that happened in Africa and internationally. She has a strong focus on human interest stories, to bring her readers and viewers closer to the topics at hand.
