New Drone Delivery Service Debuts in Melbourne for Food Deliveries

Starting from July 18, thousands of residents in Melbourne’s East will have the option to have their food delivered by drones right to their doorsteps.

Partnering with Eastland Shopping Centre, one of Australia’s largest shopping centers, the drones will efficiently transport small orders from various outlets in the area. The delivery is expected to arrive in 15 minutes or less, outpacing traditional car deliveries.

This collaboration between DoorDash and Wing, a subsidiary of Google’s parent company Alphabet, aims to revolutionize the delivery experience.

To access this groundbreaking service, customers can simply click on the drone icon on the DoorDash app and place orders from participating retailers, including Gelatissimo, Schnitz, Sushi Hub, and over 20 other businesses.

When the drone reaches the destination, it slows down, descends to a delivery height of approximately seven meters above the ground, hovers, and lowers the package to the ground on a tether. This automatic release ensures the package is dropped off in the designated delivery area, as explained by DoorDash.

A spokesperson for DoorDash mentioned to the Epoch Times that Wing’s drones are engineered to deliver packages safely, reliably, and swiftly.

After a customer places an order, the package is loaded onto the Wing drone, which then ascends to flying altitude and heads to the designated delivery location at a speed exceeding 110 km per hour.

“The drone doesn’t need to land, and there is no requirement to assist with the delivery process. After dropping off the package, the drone rises back to cruising altitude and returns to the delivery facility,” the spokesperson added.

In late 2022, DoorDash and Wing initiated a partnership to develop drone delivery services on a commercial scale.

“Since our initial partnership announcement, we have expanded the pilot program to new areas, including additional suburbs in South East Queensland and now into Victoria for the first time at Eastland Shopping Centre in Ringwood,” DoorDash stated.

This new service will be accessible in 26 suburbs in Melbourne’s East, covering areas like Ringwood, Mitcham, Nunawading, Donvale, and Boronia.

Enhanced Delivery Services: Wing

Wing shared that launching drone deliveries in the Maroondah City Council area and neighboring suburbs would provide a more efficient and environmentally friendly delivery option.

In a statement to the Epoch Times, Wing spokesperson Jesse Suskin expressed excitement about introducing deliveries in a new state and city, catering to the Eastern suburbs of Melbourne.

“Our initial hub in Victoria will be at QIC’s Eastland Shopping Centre in Maroondah, serving a region with over 250,000 residents who can access drone delivery via the DoorDash app,” Mr. Suskin stated.

He also mentioned that four years ago, Wing initiated Australia’s first urban drone delivery service in Southeast Queensland, integrating delivery drones at major shopping centers in densely populated areas alongside merchants.

“Our customers utilize drone delivery for various items like bread for school lunches, toiletries, or a quick coffee or ice cream pick-me-up. We’ve been successful in providing safe, fast, and eco-friendly deliveries,” he noted.

Furthermore, Greg Balmforth, the general manager of Eastland Shopping Centre, emphasized the benefits of introducing drone delivery to the Ringwood location, citing increased business opportunities for retailers and an enhanced shopping experience for customers.

Puji Fernando, General Manager of DoorDash Australia, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to offering top-notch delivery options.

“Drone delivery complements our existing ground delivery services seamlessly,” he said.

“We are thrilled about expanding this service to Melbourne alongside Wing to provide innovative delivery solutions to more Australians and support local businesses.”

While drone delivery offers numerous advantages, it also comes with certain risks, such as privacy concerns, invasiveness, and potential use of overhead cameras that could compromise privacy. Additionally, navigating congested areas and avoiding obstacles like buildings and birds can pose logistical challenges.