News

Kiwis ... and lots of sheep ... witness first pizza drone delivery for Domino's today

Pizza delivered via drone has become reality, according to a news release from Domino’s Pizza. The company paired with Flirtey to create the first commercial pizza-by-drone delivery, which flew earlier (New Zealand time) today in Aukland, according to the release.

August 25, 2016

We’ve tested, teased and talked about it, but pizza delivered via drone has finally become reality, according to a news release from Domino’s Pizza. The company paired with Flirtey to create the first commercial pizza-by-drone delivery, which flew earlier (New Zealand time) today in Aukland. 

In today’s demo flight, the Flirtey drone flew sans in-vehicle manpower over the country’s ubiquitous sheep population to deliver a hot pie as ordered to an undisclosed location. The demonstration was the final step in the approval process under New Zealand Civil Aviation laws. The companies will expand the flying pizza service to customers later this year, according to a news release.

The service is not only fast and safe but uses special packaging to help retain the temperature and taste of fresh-out-of-the-oven pizza during its delivery, according to the release, that also claimed that the technology can scale rapidly to meet the coming demand for winged, delivered-to-your-door pizza.

Launching the first commercial drone delivery service in the world is a landmark achievement for Flirtey and Domino's, said Flirtey CEO Matt Sweeny.

"Soon you will be able to order a Flirtey to deliver your pizza on-demand," he said. "New Zealand has the most forward-thinking aviation regulations in the world, and with the new U.S. drone regulations taking effect on Aug. 29, Flirtey is uniquely positioned to bring the same revolutionary Flirtey drone delivery service to partners within the U.S."

The Domino's chain appears to have a special affinity for new technology, having also invested in the land-based delivery robot, DRU, the Domino's Robotic Unit, as well as specially created delivery cars that keep pizza at a perfect temperature for long periods.

"Partnering with Flirtey to revolutionize the delivery experience is an achievement that will set our company apart in the minds of customers and change the way delivery is conducted around the world," said Group CEO and Managing Director Don Meij of Domino's Pizza Enterprises.

The drone is made of carbon fiber, aluminum and other 3D-printed parts to be lightweight and unmanned. The news release said the drone lowers its hot cargo with a tether and features special safety elements that return it to home automatically in cases of low battery or GPS signal outage.

Flirtey’s is the same company that recently worked with convenience store company, 7-Eleven, to fly medicine and other items to homesin the U.S. Now, the interesting activity to watch will be how Domino’s finds drone operators and engineers in the U.S. and New Zealand to literally get this new delivery model, off the ground.

Domino’s now has 100 stores in New Zealand with 2,000 more operating in Australia, Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Japan and Germany.