Drone Food Delivery Takes Off in Finland, Promising Faster Meals and Lower Costs

A new partnership is bringing hot meals to Finnish doorsteps from the sky. Food delivery platform Wolt and local startup Huuva are now using drones from Irish company Manna for orders in the Helsinki metropolitan area. The service is fully operational in Espoo after a successful pilot phase.

This initiative aims to solve suburban delivery challenges with greater speed and efficiency. According to TechCrunch, the drones are completing deliveries in minutes, bypassing ground traffic entirely. The service notifies customers when their order is dispatched by air.

How Drone Delivery Works for Everyday Customers

The process begins when a customer places an order through the Wolt app from a Huuva partner restaurant. If a drone is available, the app sends a specific notification. The order is then prepared and handed over to Manna’s ground team.

A courier on an e-scooter transports the food in a heat bag to a nearby launchpad. Manna’s operators then secure the order in a special, regulator-approved bag. The drone follows a pre-approved flight path, controlled remotely from Mission Control in Ireland.

The Economic and Practical Benefits of Aerial Delivery

The primary advantage is a significant reduction in delivery times. Drones travel directly to their destination, avoiding road congestion. This ensures food arrives hotter and fresher than with traditional methods.

The cost savings are also substantial. Huuva estimates ground deliveries cost between 5 and 6 euros. Drone deliveries could potentially lower this cost to around 1 euro per order. This improved unit economics makes the service more sustainable for the companies involved.

The expansion of drone food delivery in Finland marks a significant step forward for last-mile logistics. This innovative service demonstrates how technology can create faster, more efficient consumer experiences. Drone food delivery is set to redefine convenience in the suburbs.

Dropping this nugget your way

How does the drone delivery service work?

Customers order through the Wolt app from participating Huuva kitchens. If selected for drone delivery, the order is flown to a drop point near their address. The package is then lowered safely to the ground using a biodegradable rope.

What is the maximum weight a drone can carry?

Each Manna drone can carry a payload of approximately 4.4 pounds. For larger orders, the system can dispatch two drones simultaneously to deliver everything at once.

How does bad weather affect drone deliveries?

The drones are built to handle wind and rain. In cases of severe icing, which is a unique challenge, the system automatically falls back to traditional courier delivery to ensure safety and reliability.

What safety measures are in place for these flights?

Manna’s operations include multiple redundancies, fully charged batteries for every flight, and comprehensive incident protocols. Each drone is also equipped with a parachute as a final safety measure.

Why was Espoo, Finland chosen for this service?

Espoo’s suburban landscape is ideal for testing drone delivery. It offers a clear operational area while addressing the need for greater food variety outside the city center, making it a perfect pilot location.