NEWS
Domino’s and SkyDrop launch next stage of commercial drone delivery in New Zealand Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited and Flirtey Inc. (SkyDrop) have announced that they have signed an agreement for the next stage of commercial drone delivery trials in New Zealand. The two companies plan to conduct a commercial trial of innovative drone delivery services from a Domino’s store in New Zealand to customer homes, which is expected to commence in 2022. The trial will be operated by SkyDrop or its designee using their best in class drone and safety technology to deliver hot Domino’s pizzas to customers (SkyDrop’s advanced drones are now able to conduct drone deliveries that are speedier, safer, quieter, cheaper, and greener, claim the company). Domino’s and SkyDrop partnered in 2016 to launch the first stage of drone delivery in New Zealand, delivering hot, fresh pizza from Domino’s Whangaparaoa store in Auckland, to a customer by drone. These demonstrations were conducted under Civil Aviation Rules Part 101. This landmark achievement was attended by both the CAA and Ministry of Transport. The delivery drone was subsequently accepted into www.papa.org.uk
the aviation collection at the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Over the following years, SkyDrop advanced its technology, increasing the payload of the SkyDrop drone up to 3.5kg, increasing the precision delivery altitude of the drone up to 60 metres, incorporating a parachute system for safety, expanding production of its aircraft system in the U.S. in conjunction with the FAA certification process, and receiving Part 102 Unmanned Aircraft Operator Certificate and Operations Specifications from the CAA in New Zealand. As the service scales, New Zealand has the opportunity to be at the forefront of the drone delivery industry globally, and benefit from reduced traffic congestion and greenhouse emissions thanks to electrically powered delivery drones. SkyDrop founder and CEO, Matthew Sweeny, said: “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. 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 Group CEO and managing director, Don Meij, said: “Domino’s is excited to partner with SkyDrop for the second stage of our commercial drone delivery trial in New Zealand. 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 cuttingedge 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 general manager, Cameron Toomey added: “Domino’s New Zealand is excited to once again be at the forefront of drone delivery. 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 favourite Domino’s pizzas delivered by drone!” 21
