DoorDash has launched an autonomous drone aircraft delivery system with infrastructure and delivery orchestration, which is designed to scale for all local businesses.
The testing for the drone deliveries will begin in Northern California in partnership with national hospitality brands, including Chipotle Mexican Grills and Popeyes.
The business stated it is creating an array of loading options designed to fit into existing business operations, which makes drone delivery feasible for local businesses for all sizes.
This move is a business strategy that aims to connect local businesses with consumers as the demand for local commerce continues to grow.
DoorDash also aims to access a new, reliable delivery mode without an additional operational complexity.
Harrison Shih, head of DoorDash Air said: “We didn’t start with a drone and ask what would fit. We started with what people order and how local businesses actually operate, then built the entire system from there.
“Any local business should be able to reach consumers by air. We built the whole system so that they can deliver by air without being disruptive to how they run their business.”
The drone deliveries also improve the overall speed of deliveries, which means faster access to time-sensitive orders for consumers.
According to the business, the tests showed the delivery times from the restaurant to the consumer’s door in under five minutes on average.
This move is the next step in a broader autonomy strategy alongside the brand’s third-party partnerships, which began with Dot.
Arlie Sisson, chief digital officer of Chipotle said: “DoorDash Air is another example of how we’re evolving our digital capabilities to give guests more choice and convenience in how they enjoy Chipotle.
“No matter how an order reaches our guests, what sets Chipotle apart remains the same: our food is freshly prepared by our teams using real ingredients and the culinary techniques that define our brand.”
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