Online food delivery firm DoorDash, in association with drone manufacturers Wing, has launched drone delivery system to dozens of eastern suburbs in Melbourne, Australia.
A population of 250,000 people, who live near Eastland Shopping Centre in Ringwood, will be able to get meals and small packages delivered directly to their homes using these lightweight, fast and more environmentally friendly drones. Delivery is designed to be completely automated without any human involvement.
The drones can depart from their home base at the Eastland Shopping Centre, fly at a height of about 70 meters, and travel up to seven kilometers, at speeds reaching 110 kilometers per hour. Each of them can transport a one-kilogram package and deliver it within 15 minutes or less.
On July 18, 2024, Jesse Suskin, Wing Australia’s Head of Government Relations and Public Policy, commented to Financial Review that Australia is an ideal location to test the technology, with ongoing high demand for the service.
“Australia, from a technology, from a commercial and from a regulatory point of view, is leading the way for sure, and that’s encouraging. I’m always bullish in Australia and drones because if you think of the whole country and the economy and the users, it’s actually a pretty good environment,” Suskin said.
The technology is especially useful in suburban areas, where residents travel greater distances to reach stores.
The service will be available in 26 suburbs across the city’s east, namely Ringwood Ringwood North, Mitcham, Nunawading Donvale, Orchards of the Park, Warrenwood, Croydon Hills, Croydon South, Bayswater, Wantirna, Heathmont, Vermont, Parts of Vermont South, Forest Hill, Wonga Park, Kilsyth, Warrandyte South, Black burn, Blackburn North, Doncaster East, Croydon North, Croydon, Bayswater North, Boronia and South Wantirna.
