In a sign that the future really is arriving by takeout bag, DoorDash has quietly started using drones to drop meals at homes in parts of metro Atlanta, kicking off a pilot program from a new drone "nest" at the Tanger Outlets in Locust Grove. The service covers nearby neighborhoods in roughly a four-mile radius and advertises delivery times as fast as 20 minutes from participating restaurants.
Where It’s Flying
The drone hub is parked at the Tanger Outlets shopping center off I-75, where DoorDash has teamed up with Wing, the Alphabet-owned drone operator that actually runs the flights, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The outlet reports that homes within about four miles of the center are eligible, and that early restaurant partners include Molinos Mexican Grill, Koji Japanese Steakhouse and Sabrosos Mexican Restaurant.
How It Works
Customers whose addresses fall inside the test zone will see a drone icon at checkout in the DoorDash app and can choose aerial delivery instead of a traditional driver. DoorDash and Wing say some orders can land on doorsteps "in as little as 20 minutes," and the companies are waiving the drone fee during the pilot, according to CBS News Atlanta. First-time drone users are also getting a perk: $5 off orders of $10 or more while the program is still in its early phase.
Why It Matters
The Locust Grove rollout is the latest step in Wing’s effort to scale up commercial drone networks, as the company already serves Walmart and other partners in several metro areas and has been expanding its footprint this year, TechCrunch reports. Wing’s drones can tote multi-pound loads at roughly 60 mph, and the company was the first to receive a Part 135 air carrier certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration for commercial UAS operations, according to the FAA.
What It Means Locally
DoorDash is pitching drones as a complement to human Dashers and other autonomous tools, not a replacement, saying the pilot is designed to help local merchants reach more customers while boosting speed and reliability, as detailed in the DoorDash newsroom. The company points to earlier drone pilots in Christiansburg, Virginia, Dallas-Fort Worth and Charlotte as it brings the program to new markets.
How To Try It
Residents who live near Tanger Outlets can check whether their home is inside the current flight zone on Wing’s delivery page or by tapping the drone option in the DoorDash app, where Wing links to a coverage checker for customers. Industry coverage notes that the move is part of a broader DoorDash strategy to diversify last-mile delivery options and work with autonomous providers as it grows drone operations in additional metro areas, according to the Atlanta Business Chronicle.
