Domino’s has announced the signing of a deal with SkyDrop to begin the next stage of commercial drone delivery trials in New Zealand.
The trial will begin in 2022, and will involve the delivery of hot pizzas directly to customers’ doors. The drones will be managed by SkyDrop or its designees, making use of its safety technology to deliver pizzas to customers.
The pair first partnered up in 2016 by demonstrating the delivery of pizzas from Domino’s Whangaparaoa store in Auckland, to a customer by drone, and was conducted under Civil Aviation Rules Part 101. The demo event was attended by CAA and the Ministry of Transport.
SkyDrop has continued to work on its drones and has developed it to take a 3.5kg payload, and increased the precision delivery altitude up to 60 meters. The drone is even installed with a parachute system.
“SkyDrop is excited to announce that we have signed an agreement with Domino’s for the second stage of our commercial drone delivery partnership in New Zealand,” said Matthew Sweeny, founder and CEO of SkyDrop.
“We’re excited to work with local stakeholders in New Zealand, who have the opportunity to be at the forefront of the drone delivery industry globally. We look forward to expanding our leadership in drone delivery focused on the trillion dollar store-to-door food delivery market.”
“Domino’s is excited to partner with SkyDrop for the second stage of our commercial drone delivery trial in New Zealand,” said Don Meji, Domino’s Group CEO and managing director.
“We invested in this partnership, and technology, because we believe drone delivery will be an essential component of our pizza deliveries in the future. This innovation means customers can experience cutting-edge technology and the convenience of having the freshest, hottest pizza delivered by drone from their local Domino’s store to their door.”
“Domino’s New Zealand is excited to once again be at the forefront of drone delivery,” said Cameron Toomey, general manager of Domino’s New Zealand.
“Our partnership with SkyDrop is an exciting opportunity to continue to lead in the food delivery space not only in New Zealand, but in the world. We can’t wait to give our customers the unique experience of having their favorite Domino’s pizzas delivered by drone!”
