SkyDrop – Domino’s drone delivery plans take shape in New Zealand.

SkyDrop, Domino’s gear up to launch commercial drone delivery trial in New Zealand

US-based SkyDrop have announced that production of the drone fleet for the commercial drone delivery trial with Domino’s is now complete.

SkyDrop (formerly known as Flirtey) and Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited (Domino’s), signed an agreement earlier this year to launch the second phase of commercial drone deliveries in New Zealand. This commercial trial with Domino’s is scheduled to launch in New Zealand in the coming months.

SkyDrop is a full-stack solutions provider of hardware, software and patents for autonomous last-mile drone delivery. The company points out that it values safety, having manufactured the drone delivery aircraft to meet SkyDrop’s robust quality assurance standards and regulatory requirements. Its operational system consists of two aircraft, one ground infrastructure platform and one autonomous control station that enables a seamless and frictionless workflow at the store location and scalable store-to-door drone delivery operations, say the company.

SkyDrop’s drone delivery system will enable delivery of hot and fresh pizza from the local Domino’s store to the customer’s home. The SkyDrop drones can also carry a variety of Domino’s menu options, including popular choices such as three extra-large Domino’s pizzas, or two large Domino’s pizzas with one soda and one side dish (including dipping sauce). In preparation for the commercial trial, SkyDrop is currently conducting test deliveries at its facilities in Reno, NV.

So far, SkyDrop reports that it has raised approximately $40 million total investment, including a recent $2 million new investment from existing investors Sierra Angels, McFlirtey, Melbourne Angels and Icehouse Ventures that is focused on advancing the commercial trial launch with Domino’s in New Zealand.

With New Zealand borders re-opening, both SkyDrop and Domino’s say that they are excited to be one step closer to offering drone delivery. The benefit of introducing drones as a delivery method alongside cars, electric scooters and bikes, claim the two companies, is that customers can enjoy the convenience of having hot and fresh pizzas delivered with zero contact to their homes by electrically powered drones, which also reduces traffic congestion and greenhouse emissions.

SkyDrop (www.GetSkyDrop.com, formerly Flirtey) is a fullstack solutions provider of hardware, software, and patents for autonomous last-mile drone delivery. It is a pioneer of the commercial drone delivery industry with a mission to make delivery instant for everyone, and a vision of drone delivery that is safer, speedier, quieter, cheaper, and greener. The company first made history in 2015 when it conducted the first-ever FAA-approved drone delivery in the US.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited is Domino’s largest franchisee outside of the USA. It holds the master franchise rights to the Domino’s brand and network in Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Japan, Germany, Luxembourg, Denmark and Taiwan. Today, Domino›s has a network of more than 3,100 stores.