Pizza drone deliveries are a thing now - Kiwi customer gets first taste
In a world first, a Peri-Peri Chicken Pizza and a Chicken and Cranberry Pizza have been dropped off to a customer in Whangaparoa - by drone.
A drone delivery company joined forces with Domino's to send the unmanned aerial vehicle, DRU Drone to the address north of Auckland, successfully getting the two pizzas to the hungry customer.
Domino's Group CEO and managing director, Don Meij, says the successful DRU Drone by Flirtey delivery came just three months after the companies announced their partnership.
"We invested in this partnership, and technology, because we believe drone delivery will be an essential component of our pizza deliveries, so even more customers can receive the freshest, hottest pizza we can offer," he explains.
"Our partnership with Flirtey grew out of this drive to innovate. Their success within the airborne delivery space has been impressive and we're proud to have partnered with them on this world first.
He says that drones can avoid traffic congestion and traffic lights reducing delivery time substantially.
"This is the future. Our customers are excited about the possibility of drone deliveries and we are thrilled to be working with local families as we test and expand this technology," says Meij.
"We will be conducting more delivery flights to customers from the Whangaparaoa store this week, and will use the information we gather to expand drone flights to a larger DRU Drone by Flirtey delivery area next year.
Meij also expects this new type of Pizza delivery to create more jobs.
"As we expand, we will look to hire additional team members whose roles will be focused on drone order loading and fleet management," he explains.
"I am proud of this partnership that has not only delivered this momentous event, but is leading the world for this important technology.
Domino's is looking at opportunities for drone delivery trials in its six other markets - Australia, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Japan and Germany.
