Lawmakers Call for Increasing Tariffs on Import of Chinese Drones

Bipartisan Lawmakers Push for Tougher Tariffs on Chinese Drones Over Security Concerns by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The latest move in the ongoing battle between parts of the U.S. government and drone manufacturers based in China involves an effort to make those products prohibitively expensive for American consumers. On Tuesday, March 19 a bipartisan […]

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GA-ASI Adds New Capabilities to its Predator Mission Trainer

In a move that will be welcomed by many of its international customers, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has installed enhanced operating software into its Predator Mission Trainer (PMT) simulator that resides at GA-ASI’s Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The new PMT Plus software was developed jointly by GA-ASI […]

Ukrainian Troops Successfully Use Autonomous FPV Drone

Ukrainian activist and volunteer, Serhii Sternenko, has shared video footage showcasing the use of a new FPV drone equipped with autonomous targeting capabilities. The drone reportedly demonstrated its ability to strike targets without direct operator commands, marking a new milestone in Ukrainian military tactics. The footage, shared on social media platform X (formerly known as […]

QinetiQ Reports First Successful Flights of New Rattler Supersonic Target

QinetiQ, in partnership with the United States Department of Defense and White Sands Missile Range High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility (HELSTF), announces the successful flights of the first two Rattler Supersonic Target MkIs. As part of the High Energy Laser Measurement (HELM) Rattler program and a QinetiQ funded Research and Development project, the flights […]

Firestorm Labs Gets $12.5M Seed Funding Led by Lockheed Martin Ventures

Firestorm Labs, a California-based Unmanned Aerial System manufacturer that is leading the charge in expeditionary additive manufacturing has announced $12.5M in seed investment by Lockheed Martin Ventures and prominent defense investors. “Firestorm is excited to announce this latest round of funding that will propel the company forward to shape the rapidly evolving needs of a […]

Alentejo, Portugal

After an excellent holiday in the Algarve we decided to come to Lisbon close to the border instead of going along the Vicentina coast. We went to discover the São Domingos mines near Mértola. A beautiful land with its plains and even a very pleasant river beach. The road is very good and access is very easy, as always the Alentejo in Portugal never disappoints.
 

 

 

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Flying Frosty? Wing takes DoorDash partnership to U.S. with Wendy’s drone deliveries

Calling all Frosties fans and drone delivery dreamers: Wing, the drone delivery outfit under Alphabet (Google’s parent company), has officially brought its DoorDash partnership to the U.S. And it comes another iconic partnership — this one with fast food chain Wendy’s. Alas, you can finally get that juicy Baconator delivered by a drone.

Photo courtesy of Wing

This news follows Wing’s year-long drone delivery partnership with DoorDash in Australia. That partnership was announced back in March 2023, where drone delivery giant would work with Wing in Logan, Australia to bring good orders to customers. That marked the first time Wing allowed its food to be ordered through a third-party app — in this case, DoorDash’s app.

Now, residents of Christiansburg, Virginia, will be the first in the U.S. to experience drone-delivered Wendy’s.

Photo courtesy of Wing

Why Christiansburg?

While this is the first time DoorDash will offer drone delivery in Christiansburg, residents of Christiansburg should be used to drone deliveries at this point. Wing launched its first U.S. commercial operations in Christiansburg back in 2019.

“The community has been an integral part of drone delivery’s progress ever since, making it a fitting place to kick off the U.S. expansion of our DoorDash partnership,” according to a statement from Wing.

Among those residents? 84-year-old Susie Sensmeier. It’s believed that she holds the orders for most drone delivery orders placed ever. Within four years, she had made 1,200 drone deliveries, including 210 blueberry muffins from a local bakery and 93 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies from a local chapter.

Now, folks like Sensmeier will have the chance to order Wendy’s, too. Starting with service from one Wendy’s restaurant, Christiansburg customers will see an option in the DoorDash app to have their Wendy’s favorites delivered by drone.

Photo courtesy of Wing

What to know when ordering Wendy’s from DoorDash via drone

While details are still under wraps, here’s what we know:

  • You’ll need the DoorDash app: Just like in Australia, you’ll be able to order Wendy’s fare through the DoorDash app. Select “drone delivery” at checkout for eligible items, and voila! Your lunch takes flight.
  • It’ll start with one restaurant: For now, only one Wendy’s location in the city will offer drone delivery. There are a few outposts, so more might be added.
  • Service is speedy: Wing promises delivery in 30 minutes or less, which is basically the time it takes to debate between fries and onion rings. Wing even claims its fastest-ever delivery took just under three minutes.
  • Drones come to your home: After flying from Wendy’s at speeds as high as 65 mph, drones will fly over properties of eligible homes. from there, they’ll hover and gently lower orders right outside doorsteps using a tether.

Here’s a screen grab of what your app will look like when ordering to an eligible address from Wendy’s on DoorDash.

And if you’d rather have your DoorDash delivered the standard way (that’s by human) you can still select that option.

Want to learn more? Wing put out a promotional video showing the Wendy’s drone deliveries in action here:

Never tried DoorDash before? Use this link to get $5 off your first DoorDash order. That’s whether you order Wendy’s in Christiansburg via drone, or just go for any other standard DoorDash order anywhere else in the U.S.

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Comment on BRINC Introduces LiveOps: A New Platform for Enhancing Drone Operations in Public Safety by BRINC Introduces LiveOps: A New Platform for Enhancing Drone Operations in Public Safety – Worldnews4

[…] Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam. […]