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Do people think drone delivery is actually useful? 2024 study has surprising results

It’s one thing if it’s a cool party trick, but what about whether it’s actually useful? A new 2024 study digs into public perception around drone delivery, and in particular how valuable people think it really is.

The results might surprise you. Because while drones are seen as a potential game-changer in certain areas such as emergency response, their appeal for everyday drone deliveries is more nuanced.

That’s according to research funded by UK Research and Innovation’s Future Flight Challenge and delivered by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC). The survey portion of the research included a survey of 3,279 adults aged 18 and older living in the U.K. The survey, which was carried out by YouGov, was conducted in March and April 2024, and it was published in July 2024.

Flytrex is all in on delivering food to people’s homes. (Photo courtesy of Flytrex)

Where the general public sees drone delivery as most useful

As a whole, the majority of survey respondents see value in drone delivery in all sorts of scenarios. But more people see drone delivery as valuable in some scenarios versus others. Here are some of those nuances:

Drone delivery may be more valuable depending on the goods they carry

useful drones benefits delivery
Chart courtesy of The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge.

People think of drone delivery as more useful when the drones are bringing critical goods, like medical supplies, blood samples or tests. That’s as opposed to drones delivering your standard mail and packages. In the survey, 85% of respondents said using drones to deliver medial supplies, blood samples of tests offered a net benefit, with just 5% saying such a use case was outright not beneficial.

Meanwhile, only 77% found value in drones delivering mail, parcels or packages to local collection hubs, with 10% saying it was flat out not useful.

That figure is slightly higher than the 76% who found it useful for drones to deliver directly to individual households. (13% called drone delivery to individual households flat out not useful).

Zipline primarily uses drones to delivery medical supplies in developing countries. Photo courtesy of Zipline.

Perhaps in anticipation of such a response, many drone delivery companies have heavily touted their medical deliveries. In fact, Zipline — which is the world’s largest drone delivery company and recently crossed the 1 million drone delivery milestone — focuses primarily on medical deliveries in developing countries. It’s 1 millionth delivery consisted of two bags of IV fluid flying from Zipline’s distribution center in Ghana’s Western North Region to a health facility nearby.

Meanwhile, Wing is working Apian, which is a medical drone startup founded by a team of doctors from the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) and perhaps coincidentally, ex-Google employees. Together, they’re building a drone delivery network that’ll shuttle medical supplies from pharmacies and other healthcare providers to homes in South Dublin, Ireland.

Yet both of those two companies also deliver stuff (as well as restaurant meals). Both Wing and Zipline partner with Walmart to send stuff to customer’s homes. And yes, you can check out the time I got Powerade and Alfredo sauce delivered via a Wing drone using goods ordered from Walmart.

Zipline just added a few major restaurant partners including Sweetgreen, Panera Bread and Jet’s Pizza. Some companies like Flytrex focus on food deliveries entirely (Jersey Mike’s is one of their biggest clients).

Drone delivery may be more valuable depending on the place

As that chart above indicates, people are generally more likely to see drones as beneficial in rural and remote areas compared to urban and suburban ones. Of the survey respondents, 74% said drone delivery for medical supplies had value in remote areas, and 75% said they had value in rural areas. That’s much higher than the 67% of people who considered drone delivery valuable in suburban areas, or the 63% people who considered it valuable in urban areas.

While most people considered home deliveries overall less valuable than medical deliveries, repsondents still agreed that home deliveries were at least more valuable if the drones were flying to rural areas. Here’s how many respondents considered the use of drones for home deliveries to be valuable, broken down by type of region:

  • Remote/isolated areas: 61% of respondents find drone delivery valuable
  • Rural areas: 54% of respondents find drone delivery valuable
  • Sub-urban areas: 36% of respondents find drone delivery valuable
  • Urban areas: 30% of respondents find drone delivery valuable

This perhaps makes sense. If you live in a city and need milk, there’s probably a corner store a block away. If you live in a rural area, it could be a long drive for a single carton of milk.

And sometimes remote areas aren’t really that remote as the crow flies, but they might be remote because of some sort of natural barrier like a river. Minimal infrastructure might mean driving for miles to get to the bridge to cross the river — even if the grocery story is really just on the side. Drones don’t need a bridge to cross a river, making them a valuable tool to deliver milk in that scenario.

Still, it really proves people care about what the drones are carrying. More people (63%) find value in drones delivering medical supplies to urban areas than even the number of people (61%) who see value in drones delivering home goods to rural areas.

Texas has thrived as a hub for drone delivery. In fact, it’s earned the title of “Drone Star State.” That’s for a few reasons, including a generally favorable climate and flat terrain, but also supportive political and social environments.

Age differences

There is also some age variability, with younger people generally seeing more value in drone delivery in older folks. For example, 39% of people between the ages of 18 and 34 said they found value in drone deliveries to urban areas, while just 21% of people 55 and older said the same.

How likely is drone delivery in the next decade?

useful drones Future Flight Challenge
Chart courtesy of The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Future Flight Challenge.

Remember back in 2013 when Jeff Bezos announced on national television his goal to make Amazon drones a reality? That’s hardly the case. Only this summer did Amazon share details about plans to launch tests in the Phoenix Metro Area. Its only other U.S. operations are limited to College Station, Texas.

Other drone companies are faring better, with actual customer deliveries on the books — and new innovation ongoing. For example, Zipline has big plans to launch its Platform 2 aircraft in Texas in 2024.

But even still, the public isn’t convinced. According to UK Research and Innovation’s Future Flight Challenge survey, just 18% think widespread drone delivery to individual households will be very likely within the next 10 years. 53% think it is at least somewhat likely.

That optimism is far lower than the public perception of the likelihood of other drone projects like inspections, surveillance and farming.

Other public ideas about drone delivery

For what it’s worth, just because the public doesn’t exactly think of drone delivery being useful doesn’t mean they hate the idea. In fact, a 2019 survey conducted by Virginia Tech researchers found that nearly 9 in 10 people are eager for delivery drones to help run errands for them.

And actual customers have vouched it’s good. DroneUp, which is a U.S.-based drone delivery service provider, surveyed customers who used its drone delivery service something in the last quarter of 2023. The survey found that 90% of customers gave their delivery experience a positive review, citing how packages arrived safely, on time and in perfect condition. The survey also found a benefit for businesses. In fact, 36% of survey respondents admitted that they added additional items to their cart — suggesting that drones may be a key driver of incremental purchases.

And in terms of stimulating the economy, there’s perhaps nothing more useful about drone deliveries than that.

The post Do people think drone delivery is actually useful? 2024 study has surprising results appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Drone Star State: why Texas is hot on drone deliveries

If it feels like all the drone delivery companies you’ve heard of are operating in Texas, your feeling is right. Texas may be the Lone Star State to most Americans. But to us, it’s also the Drone Star State.

Six of the top commercial drone delivery companies in operation today have either test projects or full customer services somewhere in Texas:  Wing, Flytrex, Amazon, Manna, Zipline & DroneUp.

In fact, I just got back from a trip to Dallas to check out Wing’s drone delivery operations myself. You’ll have to stay tuned until next week to hear about my adventures getting my first ever, real drone delivery. But for now, consider this an ode to Texas.

Here’s are a few reasons why Texas might be the very best place to launch not just any drone company, but in particular a drone delivery company:

1. Topography and climate

Though many delivery drones still operate in most types of rain (extreme stores excluded), Texas’s relatively mild climate makes it a more viable place to conduct drone deliveries. It’s also pretty flat with few natural barriers like tall trees or hills.

2. Public acceptance

The Drone Girl visits a Wing “Nest” at a Walmart store in Fort Worth

For drone deliveries to grow, the public has to actually want it. The majority do — and the rate of Texans keen on drone delivery is higher than the general U.S. population.

According to a survey of 5,000 U.S. respondents, 64% of respondents from Texas said they are willing to use drone delivery. That’s higher than the interest coming out of residents from other nearby states. For example, 63% of North Carolina residents said they’d use drone delivery. Meanwhile, just 57% of Florida residents and 58% of Georgia residents said they were into it.

3. Favorable legislation and government buy-in

Perhaps the most critical factor of them all in dubbing Texas the Drone Star State? Government buy-in, allowing programs like multiple drone flights at once, drones flying beyond visual line of sight and more.

In fact, Dallas is the first place in the entire world where drone delivery companies have been able to fly within the same city limits. That’s critical in progressing drone delivery from nifty science fair-esque test to viable operations. It’s all made possible due to a system of air traffic control for drones, formally referred to as “UTM” or unmanned traffic management.

UTM supports Texas drone deliveries

Texas drone deliveries are made possible due to unmanned traffic management systems. For the Texas UTM system, both the Federal Aviation Administration and NASA worked with the drone delivery companies to implement a set of ‘rules of the road.’

After all, with multiple aircraft, each different company has to operationalize how they coordinate their delivery routes so they can safely share the airspace. As far as U.S. drone deliveries go, Texas is the first place we’ve ever seen such a robust UTM system.

The FAA-approved UTM service operates as a digital data exchange. It’s really not exclusive at all. In fact, any operator in the area can join. When they join in, they can share where they intend to fly. From there, they can confirm their flight doesn’t conflict with another flight.

It’s still relatively new, with initial flights using UTM services having launched in August 2024. But more authorizations are coming to the Dallas area soon.

While UTM has huge implications for package deliveries, it will also allow drones to scale in other verticals such as public safety applications and infrastructure mapping or inspections.

4. Walmart

My first-ever real drone delivery. A Powerade delivered via Wing, ordered from Walmart. (Photo by Sally French)

Texas and Walmart go together like brisket and BBQ sauce. And one reason alone for drone delivery success has to do with one of the biggest corporations there is: Walmart.

Walmart partners with a handful of drone delivery companies, which include Wing (the drone delivery arm of Alphabet) and Zipline (largely considered the world’s largest drone delivery company). Walmart also works with smaller players like DroneUp, which it made a significant investment in.

Walmart runs drone deliveries out of a handful of stores, and it’s list is growing to a point that one day could include most Walmart stores. In Texas alone, Walmart operates about 500 Walmart Supercenters and about 600 retail units as a whole (a figure that encompasses other outposts like discount stores and Neighborhood Markets, too).

Though Walmart has operated in other states, it’s seen some big wins in Texas. In fact, DroneUp had so much trouble scaling that — not only did it lay off about 17% of its staff — it closed its other drone delivery hubs in Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Tampa.

Though DroneUp has had some trouble scaling, forcing it to lay off staff and cease operations in other states. But even though DroneUp has struggled to find success in other states, it’s still — perhaps not coincidently — operating in Texas.

Walmart now offers drone delivery as a built-in customer service through the official Walmart app.

Of course, Walmart is hardly the only retailer interested in drone deliveries. For example, Walgreens has also worked with Wing out of Frisco, Texas.

What’s ahead for drone deliveries in Texas?

With a functional UTM system in place, Texas drone deliveries are able to grow. According to the players involved in the Walmart tests, an estimated 75% of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro will have access to drone delivery by the end of 2024 via Walmart alone. 

And of course, rising tides lift all boats. In the drone delivery realm, success for one player, say delivery companies like Wing, or retailers themselves like Walmart, largely means success for others. And it’s more than just drone delivery. Advancements in other drone use cases can help propel drone delivery forward.

Now drone deliveries aren’t the only reason why we should call Texas the Drone Star State. Texas also happens to be a hotbed for all sorts of other drone activity. With a robust oil and gas industry, drones play a key role in inspecting Texas’ pipelines. For example, DJI worked with Shell on an inspection project down in Houston. Meanwhile, AT&T, which is based in Dallas, has gotten into drones. For example, its 5G Innovation Studio has ben leaning on drones.

Then don’t forget about drone light shows. One of my favorite American drone light show companies, Sky Elements, is based in Texas. Though they put on drone shows pretty much anywhere, one of their highlights was in Texas itself: the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

Here’s a look at that fun Houston Rodeo drone show:

So what do you think? Is Texas the Drone Star State?

The post Drone Star State: why Texas is hot on drone deliveries appeared first on The Drone Girl.

Is drone delivery doomed? Here’s what DroneUp job cuts mean for industry

It’s been a rough year for DroneUp. In August 2024, news came out that DroneUp would end its drone delivery partnership with Walmart in three states: Arizona, Florida and Utah. With that, DroneUp job cuts occurred. The company laid off about 17% of its staff, which is about 70 employees.

Is this a sign that the drone industry is doomed?

Maybe. As first reported by Axios, DroneUp spends about $30 to deliver a package by drone. For services that promises to bring you your lunch, or other items you want in a pinch like a new backpack for your kid who already tore a hole in theirs, or some sugar because you ran out mid-baking spree, $30 is likely the same or more than the value of the items being delivered. Meanwhile, other companies like Wing and Zipline won’t discuss their costs per delivery — suggesting the competitors aren’t necessarily doing it for much less.

But the outlook is at least brighter for other drone delivery companies that have been generally experiencing growth. That includes the biggest players like Google-affiliated Wing, as well as Zipline, which is generally considered the world’s biggest drone delivery company. Smaller players like Flytrex and Manna also bring fresh industry ideas and small wins to the table.

Reasons to be optimistic about drone delivery

Flytrex doesn’t have a ton of flights to its name, relative to some of the competitors. For example, Zipline crossed the 1 million drone delivery milestone in 2024. That’s through a combination of deliveries including food from restaurants and medical supplies.

Competitors are scaling drone deliveries big time

In the early days of drone delivery, companies would report on one-off drone deliveries. Visual observors would have eyes on the drone at all times, and it would be a highly choreographed, personalized process.

Of course, that’s not sustainable. The more automation, the better (and cheaper). And to enable that, companies will truly need to be able to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) — which is not fully legal yet.

DroneUp did put out a bizarre news release in 2024 announcing that it “has achieved a new industry benchmark of 500 deliveries made in a single day.” It’s all a bit odd, considering we know competitors like Wing have long been capable of much more. For example, just about this time last year, Wing told us it was making close to 1,000 deliveries in a region in a single day.

The FAA is issuing some BVLOS approvals (though not necessarily to DroneUp)

Speaking of BVLOS, some companies do have authorizations. In fact, the FAA in July 2024 authorized both Wing and Zipline to conduct commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. That’s a first for U.S. aviation.

It also means the two companies can now deliver packages without actually stationing humans along the route to maintain eyes on the drone — something other companies still need to do in the U.S. to comply with Part 107 rules around visual observers.

Restaurants like it for marketing

Some companies like Flytrex focus solely on delivering restaurant meals via drone. Flytrex restaurant partners include Little Caesars, Charleys Philly Steaks Brinker International (which is the parent company of major chains including Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy) and Jersey Mike’s. Sure, Flytrex is much smaller. Its latest milestone — 100,000 drone deliveries made — occurred in July 2024 and is merely a fraction of Zipline’s share.

Google-sibling company Wing also dominates the retail and food delivery space. This summer, Australia got a treat when Wing announced an expansion to the Melbourne area. Wing will partner with DoorDash, which it’s already been working with elsewhere in Australia. In the U.S.,  Wing works closely with Walmart (though so does DroneUp).

What DroneUp needs to do to catch up

These days, DroneUp is solely focused on its Walmart deliveries in Texas, where Walmart also operates with Wing and Zipline. For DroneUp to really be sustainable, it will need to gain that same FAA approval for BVLOS flights already granted to Wing and Zipline.

BVLOS approvals

For now, DroneUp does holds some critical Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waivers issued through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), but it’ll still need more autonomy.

More research

For what it’s worth, DroneUp already works closely with the research and development facility at Richard Bland College (RBC). Richard Bland College is the public junior college associated with the College of William & Mary in Prince George County, Virginia. There, academics perform capacity testing on behalf of DroneUp’s commercial partners.

Hardware wins

DroneUp Ecosystem DBX featuring net
Photo courtesy of DroneUp

It’s perhaps tough to compete with Wing, which has the capacity to experiment with all sorts of aircraft prototypes. With products like the Pixel, Pixelbook, Nest, GFiber Webpass, Google Home and more, it’s not surprising that Wing’s aircraft are also impressive hardware feats.

DroneUp in March 2024 launched an all-new, compelling piece of hardware called the autonomous Ecosystem. Its Ecosystem entails a series of operations stations around a region. There, clients (say a retailer) can drop off a package into what’s kind of like a massive mail box. The drone can automatically grab that package and fly off to another station. There, the receiver would roll up to that station and retrieve their package.

DroneUp Ecosystem drone delivery Virginia American company DBX
Photo courtesy of DroneUp

DroneUp’s Ecosystem model marks a significant departure from competitors like Wing or Zipline, both of which fly over (and drop off packages) directly to suburban, single-family residences.

DroneUp has said its system is more scalable. After all, there’s no messing around with figuring out which backyards do and don’t work. Plus, it’s generally more cost-efficient and safe. We’ll be following to see how well it works in practice.

Software wins

Software is critical just as much as hardware. For what it’s worth, DroneUp already has its own proprietary software called Uncrew. The cloud-based platform allows users to manage missions from anywhere in the world, using real-time geodata from unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems. By knowing which drones are in the sky, the software can generate accurate airspace, terrain, and traffic information. From there, it can generate automated mission plans. As of now, one operator can oversee up to 20 concurrent missions.

    While 20 missions at the time is the figure for now, that figure will eventually have to grow for DroneUp to take the lead as most efficient drone delivery platform. DroneUp leaders say their teams are working on that very thing right now.

    “For DroneUp’s commercial partners, the ultimate goal is to increase the number of deliveries that can be safely completed while diversifying the types of items and packages that drones can effectively manage,” said John Vernon, CTO of DroneUp, in a prepared statement. “Testing at RBC will soon address new weight capacities that eclipse our 10-pound limit, further increasing the package size and testing of many-to-many drone operations.”

    In light of the DroneUp job cuts, how are you feeling about the state of delivery drones? Share your thoughts in the comments!

    The post Is drone delivery doomed? Here’s what DroneUp job cuts mean for industry appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    Layoffs, cutbacks strike Walmart-affiliated drone delivery company

    Not everything is rosy in the land of drone delivery. DroneUp, which is a U.S.-based drone delivery service backed by retail giant Walmart, announced significant layoffs and operational cutbacks. The DroneUp layoffs comes as the company faces challenges in financial sustainability.

    As first reported by Axios, DroneUp spends about $30 to deliver a package by drone. Though the company has goals to get prices down to about $7 (that’s more akin to ground-based delivery), even that’s a tough sell among customers who expect free delivery.

    Given those financial challenges — as well as regulatory hurdles and infrastructure limitations — DroneUp made the move to lay off about 70 employees, which amounts to about 17% of its staff.

    With that, the company is also ceasing its operations in all states outside of Texas for now. That includes closing drone delivery hubs in Phoenix, Salt Lake City and Tampa.

    “Layoffs are an unfortunate part of a business that is literally defining its own industry,” according to a statement provided to The Drone Girl by DroneUp. “Like so many innovators before us, the decision to automate often leads to similar circumstances but we acknowledge that this is a difficult time, especially for those with whom we’ve parted ways. While we are deeply grateful for their service, DroneUp remains committed to a strategy that supports our commercial partners and their customers.”

    What’s next after the DroneUp layoffs?

    For now, DroneUp will focus its efforts purely on Texas, where it runs flights out of select Walmart stores in the Dallas area. (Zipline and Wing, two other drone delivery companies, also work with Walmart in Texas).

    DroneUp has differentiated itself from competitors like Wing and Zipline with unique hardware and software. That includes its proprietary software called Uncrew, which helps manage multiple missions in one go.

    DroneUp Ecosystem DBX featuring net
    Photo courtesy of DroneUp

    DroneUp uses a unique technology called the autonomous Ecosystem to drop off and pick up packages. Ecosystem operates like a series of mailboxes around a region. With it, retailers can drop off a package into a giant box the size of a few humans. On top of it, the drone can automatically grab that package and fly off to another station. From there, a receiver would arrive at their nearest Ecosystem station and pick up their package.

    It’s certainly a different system then one that competitors follow (which often entails dropping packages directly into customers’ yards. But, it signals that DroneUp is still investing in new technology — and open to innovating on new strategies.

    “The lessons we have learned in the last several years have informed a strategy to reshape the last mile of delivery with DroneUp’s Ecosystem platform that is economically feasible for sellers and scalable for buyers,” according to a statement from DroneUp.”

    Though DroneUp is laying off a solid chunk of its team — which now totals 418 people according to a CNBC report, the company still has bigger visions. In fact, its CEO Tom Walker said DroneUp has goals to hire even more people than it laid off.

    DroneUp delivery drone with snacks from Walmart
    Photo courtesy of DroneUp

    Regulatory challenges to blame for DroneUp layoffs?

    The big hurdle before DroneUp can hire more staff? Many experts — and DroneUp itself — point to regulatory issues.

    “The drone delivery industry is at a pivotal moment where the focus is shifting from regulatory approvals to achieving true commercial viability,” according to an email to The Drone Girl from Yariv Bash.

    Bash is the CEO and founder of Flytrex. Flytrex is another drone delivery company that primarily focuses on food deliveries via drone.

    “Walmart’s decision to halt DroneUp services highlights the need for a robust system that both meets regulatory standards and delivers on the promise of cost-effective and scalable operations,” he said. “You can’t deliver groceries in a Bentley. It’s simply too expensive.”

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed significant regulatory challenges that have limited the widespread adoption of drone delivery. These regulations, while designed to ensure safety and prevent accidents, have also created barriers for drone delivery companies. Strict rules governing flight operations and airspace restrictions (such as flights over people) have made it difficult for companies to scale their drone delivery services beyond limited areas.

    Additionally, the FAA’s approval process for new drone models and technologies can be time-consuming and costly. All that further hinders innovation in the industry.

    The FAA has made some strides to remove those barriers. Perhaps not coincidentally, most of those strides are happening in Texas, the lone state where DroneUp continues to operate. In fact, just last month, the FAA authorized commercial drone flights without visual observers in the same Dallas-area airspace. That’s a first for U.S. aviation.

    But the authorizations exclude DroneUp. Instead, the specifically include the two competitors, Wing and Zipline, allowing them to deliver packages while keeping their drones safely separated using Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) technology. In this system, the industry manages the airspace with rigorous FAA safety oversight. 

    What hope is there for drone delivery ahead?

    Those DroneUp wasn’t included in the approval done in July, it does signal some movement for drone delivery. If Wing and Zipline can get such approvals, surely other companies can.

    And DroneUp is counting on it — so much that they intend to hire bigger and better (when they can).

    “It remains our ambition to grow DroneUp, nationwide,” according to a DroneUp statement. “Doing so would rely on a bigger workforce in roles that will be defined by what regulators permit, and what partners and their customers need.”

    Ideally that’ll happen sooner rather tha later. In fact, the FAA said it expects initial flights using UTM services to begin in August. The FAA added that it intends to issue more authorizations in the Dallas area soon. 

    And in a similar vein, the FAA is currently close to releasing what’s called “the Normalizing UAS BVLOS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).” This would enable drone operators to expand operations beyond what their eyes can say. The FAA says that document is on track for release later this year.

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    The post Layoffs, cutbacks strike Walmart-affiliated drone delivery company appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    Jersey Mike’s drone delivery provider marks 100k milestone

    The company perhaps most famous for delivering sandwiches from Jersey Mike’s and pizza from Little Caesars just crossed a milestone. Flytrex, which is a drone delivery company based in the U.S., just made its 100,000th drone delivery.

    Unlike other drone delivery competitors that delivery items like medical supplies, Flytrex solely focuses on using drones to deliver food. That includes goods from grocery stores or prepared meals from restaurants. Flytrex operates in certain suburbs of both North Carolina and Texas. Little Caesars, Charleys Philly Steaks,  Brinker International (which is the parent company of major chains including Chili’s Grill & Bar and Maggiano’s Little Italy) and Jersey Mike’s are its most notable clients.

    Over at Jersey Mike’s, it seems as customers love having drone delivery as an option.

    “At Jersey Mike’s Subs, we are focused on bringing our customers the best experience – and that includes delivery that is convenient for their schedules and preferences,” said Scott Scherer, Chief Information Officer at Jersey Mike’s Franchise Systems, Inc. in a prepared statement. “Partnering with Flytrex, our fans can enjoy our authentic, fresh sliced and fresh grilled sub sandwiches how and when they want them.”

    Flytrex North Carolina Jersey Mike's drone delivery customer

    Drone delivery specifically in the food delivery space offers a few benefits including the potential for:

    • Faster delivery speeds (drones don’t get stuck in traffic)
    • Reduced carbon emissions
    • Fewer road accidents

    In fact, according to Cornell University research, about half of food delivery drivers in a survey said they had been in a collision while making a delivery. 

    Flytrex also claims it’s much faster than car deliveries. According to Flytrex data, the average Flytrex meal delivery time is just four minutes and 30 seconds. Compare that to what Flytrex states is between 8-12 minutes for a car to execute the same delivery without traffic. It’s an even heftier 15-20 minutes with traffic.

    What to know about Flytrex

    Flytrex first landed in the U.S. in late 20019, initially launching its wide-scale U.S. flights from Holly Springs, North Carolina. Prior to that, the Israel-based drone delivery company garnered some attention for its drone delivery operations in Reykjavik, Iceland.

    Now, Flytrex operates in a few other areas of North Carolina, including Durham and Raeford. A close relationship with the North Carolina Department of Transportation has enabled Flytrex to clock in some successes. That includes in early 2023, when Flytrex scored approval to conduct drone deliveries under a Standard Part 135 Air Carrier Certification from the FAA

    Besides the decision to hone in on food deliveries, Flytrex CEO Yariv Bash has taken a fairly strong stance in a few aspects of drones. That includes early criticism of competitors who relied on drones to land for package delivery. At the time, Bash cited issues such as kids and pets getting in the way of the drone, causing unnecessary problems as it lands. These days, very few drone delivery companies land their drones — for reasons that Bash predicted.

    Flytrex’s app, which enables customers to have items delivered to them via drone. (Photo courtesy of Flytrex)

    How Flytrex compares to other drone delivery companies

    While 100,000 meals delivered might seem like a big deal, it’s still small potatoes in the broader drone delivery world. In April 2024, Zipline (which most largely considered world’s largest drone delivery company) crossed the 1 million drone delivery milestone. Flytrex’s milestone is only a tiny fraction of that.

    Zipline largely focuses on medical deliveries in developing countries. After all, it’s 1 millionth delivery entailed two bags of IV fluid. They flew from Zipline’s distribution center in Ghana’s Western North Region to a health facility nearby.

    But even Zipline has leaned into fast food deliveries, including a recent partnership with fast casual salad chain Sweetgreen.

    Meanwhile, Google-sibling company Wing is seriously dominating the food delivery space. That’s particularly evident in Australia, where this summer it announced an expansion to the Melbourne area. There, Wing will partner with DoorDash, which it’s already been working with elsewhere in Australia. In the U.S.,  Wing works closely with Walmart.

    The post Jersey Mike’s drone delivery provider marks 100k milestone appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    Wing expands to Melbourne, Australia with DoorDash drone deliveries

    After more than five years of largely successful drone operations in the state of Queensland, Australia, Wing’s drone delivery operations are finally expanding to a different Australian state. Wing, the drone delivery arm affiliated with Google, announced in July 2024 that it is headed to the Melbourne area. That makes Wing’s first operations in Victoria, Australia.

    The Wing deliveries in Victoria will be available to certain homes in the greater-Melbourne area. Given the radius upon which Wing will operate in Victoria, this will mark Wing’s largest approved delivery area in Australia to-date.

    For the Melbourne deliveries, Wing will continue to partner with DoorDash. The Wing partnership with DoorDash first took off in November 2022 in Logan, Australia. Logan, a city in Queensland, has been one of the primary sites for Wing’s Australian operations thus far. Through it, eligible customers can place orders for certain, drone delivery-eligible items directly through their DoorDash apps.

    The rooftop of the Grand Plaza Mall in Logan, Australia. Photo courtesy of Wing.

    The new Melbourne expansion will follow a similar model of drone deliveries already happening at the Grand Plaza Mall in Logan City, Australia. It’s called a store-to-door model. With it, Wing establishes what it calls its “drone nest” with a store or shopping center. From there, drones directly depart from that store or shopping center — rather than from a separate warehouse. (Here’s a deep dive into how Wing’s deliveries from the shopping mall rooftop work.)

    With its Melbourne expansion, Wing will place its first Nest at the Eastland Shopping Centre, which is located in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Ringwood, Victoria, Australia. Considered the fourth-largest shopping centre in Australia, it has more than 340 retail stores and services. The location will unlock drone delivery access to more than 250,000 Melbourne-area residents.

    That large of an area — and that many potential customers — means more reliance on autonomy. In turn, that means less reliance on humans. Wing says its Melbourne operations will have a 50-1 drone to pilot ratio, meaning a single pilot to oversee up to 50 drones in the air at any given time. That’s a 3x increase over Wing’s prior drone delivery approvals.

    Related read: New Wing delivery drone prototypes include design that carries 7 lb packages

    The state of Wing drone deliveries in 2024

    Wing drones outside of a Walmart store. (Photo courtesy of Wing)

    In a July 2024 statement, Wing called 2024 “the year of drone delivery.” And it very well may be.

    Other recent Wing drone delivery expansions this month have included a partnership between Wing, Apian, Blackrock Health, St. Vincent’s Private Hospital, Medtronic. With that, those companies are working on a drone delivery trial of all sorts of medical supplies and devices to hospitals around Dublin. Though, that one is a fairly small test, with only about an estimated 100 flights weekly.

    And over in the U.S., Wing is also growing. Following news that Walmart would integrate drone delivery directly into its own Walmart app, Wing has officially launched service from two Texas Walmart locations (stores in Arlington and Fort Worth). With that, Wing and Walmart now offer drone delivery from six locations to homes in more than a dozen localities across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

    Early this year, Wing also brought that DoorDash partnership that first kicked off in Australia over to Christiansburg, Virginia. With that, eligible residents who order specifically from Wendy’s via DoorDash can opt to get a Frosty, Baconator or other Wendy’s order delivered via drone.

    Oh, and if you’ve never tried DoorDash before, you can use this link to get $5 off your first DoorDash order — whether or not it’s delivered via drone.

    Related read: 11 beloved restaurants that you can order drone delivery from in America

    Other drone delivery growth in 2024

    Of course, Wing isn’t the only company growing its drone delivery offerings this year. Also this month, we got critical deals about a planned Amazon drone delivery offering in Arizona’s Phoenix metro area. Amazon is also currently working on efforts to expand its existing College Station, Texas drone deliveries.

    Meanwhile, Zipline (which is considered the world’s largest drone delivery operator) crossed a huge milestone in April 2024 when it made its one millionth commercial drone delivery to an actual customer.

    The DroneUp Ecosystem. (Photo courtesy of DroneUp)

    And even smaller players are innovating big. For example, DroneUp pioneered a compelling new Ecosystem platform in 2024. That platform involves standalone units (about the size of two parking spaces) serving as mini package takeoff and delivery centers. DroneUp can place these basically anywhere throughout a city. From there, where customers can pick up their drone-delivered packages without actually touching the drone itself.

    The post Wing expands to Melbourne, Australia with DoorDash drone deliveries appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    New details emerge on planned Arizona Amazon drone delivery service

    Amazon is working on launching a drone delivery service in the West Valley Phoenix Metro Area. And this week, new details have emerged as to what exactly this Arizona Amazon drone delivery service will entail.

    On July 10, the Federal Aviation Administration released a draft environmental assessment for Amazon Prime Air’s proposed drone delivery operations in Tolleson, Arizona. With it comes critical details around how big this operation might actually be.

    Under the proposal for Arizona Amazon drone deliveries, Amazon would launch commercial drone package deliveries out of a new Prime Air Drone Delivery Center (PADDC) in Tolleson, Arizona. That drone delivery center sits on the same property as another existing Amazon warehouse.

    This first-of-its-kind PADDC would mark a departure from the way Amazon currently operates its other deliveries out of College Station, Texas. The PADDC is a hybrid fufillment center and delivery station. The benefit? Amazon employees can fulfill, sort and deliver products all from one site. In theory, that reduces delivery times.

    Related read: The biggest difference between Amazon and Wing drones (and why one is arguably more successful)

    Image courtesy of Amazon

    Speaking of faster delivery times, Amazon plans to run its Arizona drone deliveries to both neighboring homes and commercial facilities. And homes aren’t far away. After all, the nearest residential neighborhood is just 1,300 feet west of Amazon’s delivery center. To be eligible for home deliveries, customers typically have to have some sort of yard, either in their own single-family residence or in certain apartment buildings.

    Delivery won’t be 24/7, but it will be during most waking hours — even when it’s dark out. Amazon’s proposal accounts for drone operations between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.

    Amazon anticipates making up to 469 delivery flights per day. That means it could potentially execute more than 170,000 drone delivery flights to customers over the course of a year. Though, realistically expect fewer flights than that given factors such as weather (drones will only fly on clear days), customer demand and potential for other technical hiccups.

    What drone does Amazon use for its deliveries?

    Arizona Amazon drone
    Image courtesy of Amazon

    The drone actually conducting the deliveries in Phoenix? That’s Amazon’s MK30 drone.

    Here are some other key Amazon MK30 drone specs:

    • Maximum takeoff weight: 83.2 pounds (though they only actually carry packages up to five pounds)
    • Capable of flying in light rain (though only flies during clear weather)
    • Vertical take-off to get off the ground, then transitions into horizontal, wing-borne flight
    • Electric powered
    • Includes sense and avoid tech
    • Quieter than past Amazon drone models via custom-designed propellers (reduces perceived noise by almost half)
    • Can fly further than past Amazon drone models (increases distance by almost double)
    • First revealed to the public in fall 2023
    Arizona Amazon drone
    Image courtesy of Amazon

    Specific to these Arizona Amazon drone operations, the Mk30 would fly in a proposed operating range of 7.5 miles from the warehouse, which makes for a potential operating area of up to 174 square miles.

    What’s next for Arizona Amazon drone deliveries?

    The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which was signed into law on January 1, 1970, requires that the FAA consider environmental factors in its decision whether to approve Arizona Amazon drone deliveries.

    Given that, the FAA has opened a public comment period. With it, the FAA is soliciting public feedback. To share your feedback, submit your comments via email by Aug. 11, 2024 and include “Prime Air Tolleson Draft EA” in the subject line.

    Besides getting FAA approvals, Amazon is also working with local officials in Tolleson. It plans to have its service running by the end of 2024.

    Amazon drone deliveries in California and Texas

    While Amazon awaits FAA approval for its Arizona Amazon drone delivery program, Amazon drone delivery already operates in a couple of locations in the United States. As of July 2024, Prime Air drone delivery is currently up and running in College Station, Texas. It’s also conducted somewhat extensive testing in Lockeford, California. For eligible College Station customers who also are purchasing drone delivery-eligible items (and yes, even certain prescriptions are eligible for Amazon drone delivery), the actual deliveries are free.

    In those cities, delivery windows are much more restricted than the Arizona proposal. Amazon drone deliveries in Texas typically run during limited daylight hours only, pending weather. As of July 2024, deliveries only are available between 8:00 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Night deliveries and operations during heavy winds are not yet available.

    Expanding Texas operations

    That said, Amazon has been on a quest to expand its existing operating hours. In a separate proposal submitted under the National Environmental Policy Act, Amazon seeks approval to expand its College Station, Texas drone deliveries. College Station is about 80 miles away from both Houston and Austin, and is home to Texas A&M University.

    Amazon’s Texas expansion plans mean getting bigger both in terms of distance and operating times. That’s due in large part to the ability to add Amazon’s new MK 30 drone to its fleet. Currently, Amazon uses the MK27-2 drone in Texas.

    Their proposal would expand the College Station operating area beyond the current 3.7-mile radius. If approved, Amazon’s operating area in Texas would grow from 43.7 square miles to 174 square miles. 

    Also in Texas, Amazon is seeking to expand its flight times from the current daylight-only hours to between 7 a.m. and 10 p.m. (as proposed in Arizona). That would increase Amazon’s current maximum in College Station of about 200 operations per day to an estimated 470 drone flights per day. That would result in going from an estimated 52,000 flights per year in Texas to an estimated 171,329 flights per year.

    Much like with Arizona, those expansion plans are contingent upon NEPA review. The public comment period for the Prime Air College Station draft environmental assessment closed on July 12.

    Texas in general is a big spot for drone delivery test projects. For example, Wing, which is the drone-focused sibling company of Google, conducts drone deliveries primarily with Walmart in Frisco, Texas which is a city near Dallas.

    Of course, expanded Texas operations — plus a new project in Arizona — is hardly all for Amazon, which is the world’s largest retailer outside of China. Though it didn’t specify where, Amazon says it intends to open further U.S. locations in 2025.

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    The post New details emerge on planned Arizona Amazon drone delivery service appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    Walmart app gets drone delivery feature, solidifying retail investment in UAS

    Here’s yet another sign that Walmart is increasingly committed to drone delivery. While Walmart has been offering drone delivery as a service at a handful of its stores (primarily in Texas), it wasn’t always the most intuitive for customers. A big Walmart app update changes that.

    Up until recently, Walmart shoppers who wanted their orders brought to them via drone had to place their order through a separate app. Walmart partners with a few different drone delivery companies, including DroneUp, Flytrex and Zipline. Things really leveled up in August 2023 when Walmart added Wing as a drone delivery provider.

    But for a customer ordering Walmart products, they’d have to place their order through the app of the drone delivery company — despite the fact that goods ordered for pickup or car delivery would have to be placed in the Walmart app.

    Walmart app drone delivery

    But as of June 2024, Walmart is rolling out steps to transition its customers to order directly from the Walmart app. It’s happening in a phased approach, so for now only a few stores offer drone delivery as an available service directly in the Walmart app. When it rolls out fully though, it should remove the friction for shoppers who’d otherwise have to download and log in to an entirely separate app just to particpate in drone delivery.

    “We are enhancing the customer experience and making the process more streamlined by integrating it into the Walmart app where our customers are already going for their other shopping needs,” according to Walmart spokesperson Lindsey Coulter. “Customers can open the Walmart app, see what items are eligible for drone delivery, build their baskets and checkout – all with just a few simple clicks.”

    Beyond a more streamlined experience, the integration also expands the catalog of goods that can be delivered.

    How ordering through the Walmart app works

    Customers who currently use one of Walmart’s drone delivery partners and order through their respective apps will receive a notification of the new ordering capability through the Walmart app once it’s made available. (Eligibility is based on the customer address associated with the account).

    Just like with the Wing app, will be able to see where their order is and keep up-to-date on its arrival time, in real-time. 

    Though the ability to order drone delivery directly through the Walmart app will take off in June 2024, Walmart emphasizes it’ll be done in phases.

    “Creating a more seamless shopping experience on the Walmart app is the next evolution of Walmart’s investment in drone delivery technology, further reaffirming its unwavering commitment to finding innovative experiences and delivery solutions for customers,” according to a news release from Walmart.

    Walmart app drone delivery

    Walmart’s drone delivery service: how it’s been going

    Walmart runs deliveries in more than a half-dozen states in the U.S., including Arkansas (which is the home state for Walmart headquarters) and Texas. Texas has been among the biggest drivers of growth for Walmart drone delivery. In fact, roughly 75% of the Dallas Fort Worth population is now eligible for drone delivery.

    For example, as of June 2024, Wing (the sibling company of Google) powers drone delivery out of the following stores:

    1. 9101 N Tarrant Pkwy, North Richland Hills, TX 
    2. 6401 NE Loop 820, North Richland Hills, TX
    3. 801 W Main St, Lewisville, TX
    4. 8555 Preston Rd, Frisco, TX

    Walmart has had fun with the drone delivery project, as evidenced by a goofy, albeit delightful social media stunt in August 2023. That’s when Walmart dunked a giant Oreo cookie into milk via drone.

    So far, drone delivery has been good for Walmart and its customers — so the company says.

    “The communities have been very receptive to adopting drone deliveries and we’re confident that enthusiasm will continue as we enhance the customer experience,” Coulter said.

    And the numbers back it up. Since Walmart began trialing drone delivery in 2021, Walmart and its drone delivery partners have made a combined 30,000+ drone deliveries to date.

    The post Walmart app gets drone delivery feature, solidifying retail investment in UAS appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    Zipline marks million delivery milestone with even bigger expansion (and plans to deliver more pizza)

    Zipline, which is generally considered the world leader in drone deliveries, has achieved a historic milestone: completing one million commercial drone deliveries to customers.

    It’s a huge leap for the drone delivery space, especially when you account for the company’s exponential growth in achieving the milestone. About 70% of those one million deliveries were executed in the last two years alone.

    Check out this graphic showing Zipline’s commercial drone deliveries over time:

    Zipline 1 million drone deliveries
    Graphic courtesy of Zipline

    And how’s this for a wild fact: one million drone deliveries equates to more than 70 million miles flown. Those flights have spanned four continents and have delivered more than 10 million products.

    Zipline has done so many flights across all its aircraft that it’s clocked more than 1 million flight hours. Yes, that’s the equivalent of about a single aircraft flying non-stop for 120 years straight.

    Given that, it’s no surprise that German-based analytics company Drone Industry Insights ranked Zipline as the No. 1 largest drone delivery company in 2023. Yes, that means it’s even larger than Google-affiliated Wing.

    (Photo courtesy of Zipline)

    Zipline is hardly stopping with one million though — and that exponential growth only looks set to grow. That’s because Zipline used today’s hoopla to also announce fresh partnerships. Soon, Zipline will use its Platform 2 system to deliver Panera Bread orders in the greater Seattle area, medical supplies from the Memorial Hermann Health System in Houston, and Jet’s Pizza in the Detroit metro area.

    The P2 system launched in March 2023 as a way to make operations faster, more precise and more efficient. The unique deliver design costs of what’s basically a two-part drone: the primary aircraft for long-distance travel and a detachable “delivery droid.” With it, the primary drone carries the droid to a designated landing zone near the delivery location. From there, the droid detaches from the primary drone, lowers itself via a tether, and gently deposits the package at the customer’s doorstep.

    Here’s what to expect from each of those companies:

    • Panera Bread: Flynn Group, a major Panera Bread franchise operator, will leverage Zipline for deliveries in the Seattle area. Panera customers will place orders for Zipline delivery directly through Zipline’s app, upon which the drones will deliver to eligible homes.
    • Memorial Hermann Health System: This Texas-based not-for-profit health systems will use Zipline to deliver specialty prescriptions and medical devices directly to patients’ homes, as well as to transport medicine, medical products, and lab samples between its facilities. The service comes at no added cost to the patients.
    • Jet’s Pizza: The Detroit-based pizza chain will use Zipline to customers in Detroit. Each Zipline P2 drone is capable of delivering two large Detroit-style pizzas along with sides.
    (Photo courtesy of Zipline)

    It’s perhaps unsurprising that Zipline beat out drone delivery competitors such as Wing in reaching the million delivery milestone. Zipline boasts a remarkable delivery frequency of one drone delivery every 70 seconds. It also holds records for the longest autonomous drone deliveries in the U.S. (without visual observers) and the world.

    For now, Zipline has put together a fun little video celebrating its one million deliveries:

    The post Zipline marks million delivery milestone with even bigger expansion (and plans to deliver more pizza) appeared first on The Drone Girl.

    10 beloved restaurants that you can order drone delivery from in America 

    As drone delivery becomes more prevalent in the United States, some of your favorite restaurants are joining the trend.  Among the biggest names? Wendy’s, which announced this month that it was teaming up with delivery giant DoorDash and Google-sibling drone delivery provider Wing.

    Now, residents of Christiansburg, Virginia can get Wendy’s Frosties via drone. But that’s not the only sort of fast food options that drones are flying through the skies. On the healthier end, California-based restaurant Mendocino Farms announced a partnership with Zipline in 2023 to deliver its gourmet sandwiches and salads to customers via drone. 

    And particularly as the number of drone delivery companies continue to grow, so do the restaurant partnerships.

    Why restaurants love drone delivery

    So why are restaurants like Wendy’s or Mendocino looking to drone delivery companies? For starters,  off-premise business for restaurants has been growing since the pandemic — and drones can bring that food off-premises.

    Another reason is sustainability. Drones offer up to 94% lower energy consumption per package than other vehicles, providing a greener alternative for companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint.  

    Lastly, it’s pure publicity. People probably aren’t posting a video on social media of their food being delivered in a car, but they certainly might if it’s being delivered by a drone. 

    While Mendocino Farms’ drone delivery service isn’t expected to begin until 2025 there’s no shortage of other restaurants that have already partnered with drone delivery services like Zipline, Flytrex, Wing, and Droneup — and many of them offer drone deliveries today.

    These 10 popular restaurants have embraced this futuristic delivery method. From healthy salads to indulgent cupcakes, there’s something for everyone: 

    sweetgreen

    1. Sweetgreen 

    Cities served: Various locations in California 

    Service provider: Zipline 

    For health-conscious diners, Sweetgreen’s partnership with Zipline is a game changer. Soon, you’ll be able to get your favorite nutritious bowls delivered swiftly from the sky. Sweetgreen is partnering with Zipline for the purposes of sustainability. Sweetgreen has pledged to be carbon neutral by 2027. 

    2. Chick-fil-A 

    Cities served: Granbury, Texas, various suburbs in NC, Brandon, FL and others

    Service provider: Flytrex & DroneUp

    If you are anything like me, you have spent a considerable amount of time waiting in the Chick-fil-A’s drive-thru line. You can skip the line for your chicken sandwich and Chick-fil-A sauce and have it drone delivered right to your door. Lucky for residents in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, Chick-fil-A partners with not one, but two different drone delivery services. 

    3. Brugh Coffee Co

    Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia  

    Service provider: Wing 

    I don’t want to go anywhere before I have my morning coffee. So, why not get the coffee delivered by drone? No human interaction is needed. Brugh Coffee was one of the first coffee providers to send a cup of coffee via drone to a customer. Brugh Coffee partners with Wing, a drone delivery company owned by Google parent company Alphabet, to deliver their coffee. 

    4. Chili’s

    Cities served: Granbury, Texas, and various suburbs in NC 

    Service provider: Flytrex 

    Chili’s diverse menu of American cuisine is now available for drone delivery. Flytrex makes it possible to enjoy Chili’s classics from the comfort of your home. The drone delievery company focuses its delivery in the US suburbs. Flytrex has proven convenient for those working from home. Just ask Mike Shanklin, who gets drone delivery 3-4x a week

    5. Sugar Magnolia

    Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia 

    Service provider: Wing 

    For those in Christiansburg, Virginia, Sugar Magnolia’s delightful baked goods and sweets are just a drone away with Wing’s innovative delivery service. Sugar Magnolia was part of the original partnership when Wing opened up in Christiansburg, Virginia, along with FedEx and Walgreens. Sugar Magnolia had only been open for 15 months when they began their partnership.

    Photo courtesy of Zipline

    6. Pagliacci Pizza

    Cities served: Various locations in Seattle 

    Service provider: Zipline 

    Bring a little excitement to Friday pizza night via Pagliacci Pizza, which offers drone delivery through Zipline. Pagliacci Pizza says drones are more sustainable and help alleviate drive times during peak hours. Zipline designed a special box that fits two 13-inch pizzas, a salad, and a couple of sodas.

    7. Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant

    Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia 

    Service provider: Wing 

    Authentic Mexican cuisine from Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant is delivered by drones in Virginia, with burritos ranking among the most popular orders. Gran Rodeo Mexican Restaurant was one of the first ‘hot food’ places to partner with Wing, due to its location. It is located right next to Wing’s headquarters, so employees are able to walk the food over to the hub to be delivered.  

    8. Jersey Mike’s

    Cities served: Granbury, Texas, and various suburbs in NC 

    Service provider: Flytrex 

    Jersey Mike’s famous subs are a drone flight away in North Carolina. Jersey Mike’s Subs was one of Flytrex’s national chain partnerships. Customers in the service area can now order to front and backyards, with a flight time of just five minutes. 

    9. Gigi’s Cupcakes

    Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia 

    Service provider: Wing 

    Satisfy your sweet tooth with Gigi’s Cupcakes, available for drone delivery through Wing. You can order Gigi’s Cupcakes and other restaurants through Wing’s delivery app, just like you would for UberEats. 

    Photo courtesy of Wendy’s

    10. Wendy’s

    Cities served: Christiansburg, Virginia 

    Service provider: Wing 

    Wendy’s is a newcomer on the list, having joined forces with Wing in March 2024 as the first restaurant to participate in Wing’s U.S. partnership with DoorDash. Alas, you can finally get that Frosty or juicy Baconator delivered by a drone. Read more about Wendy’s drone delivery here.

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    The post 10 beloved restaurants that you can order drone delivery from in America  appeared first on The Drone Girl.