Could Drones Be Delivering Your Next Hot Meal?

Meal delivery services are transforming how residents access food, especially in regions previously underserved. In Scandinavia, the launch of drone delivery by the start-up Aviant is a game-changer for residents on islands like Värmdö, who have long been denied hot food delivery options. This innovative approach addresses the unique geography of these areas, allowing more people to enjoy convenient meal choices.

Last updated: 23 October 2023 (BST)

Key Takeaways

• Aviant is pioneering drone food delivery in Scandinavia, starting with Värmdö, Sweden.
• The service aims to reach underserved populations in suburban and rural areas.
• Delivery costs are comparable to traditional methods, making it accessible.
• Aviant plans to expand to other regions like Nesodden in Norway.
• Challenges include ensuring food quality and navigating regulatory landscapes.

A New Era of Meal Delivery in Scandinavia

The world is witnessing a surge in meal delivery services, particularly in urban centres where the convenience of hot food at your doorstep is often taken for granted. However, for residents of rural and suburban areas, especially those located on islands in countries like Sweden, Norway, and Finland, this convenience has been largely absent. With nearly 700,000 islands across these nations, many communities have been left out of the meal delivery boom due to logistical challenges. Enter Aviant, a promising Norwegian start-up aiming to change the game by launching the region’s first food delivery service via drone.

Introducing Aviant: The Drone Delivery Pioneer

Aviant’s journey began with a clear mission: to provide hot meal delivery to communities that have traditionally been underserved. Co-founder and CEO Lars Erik Fagernæs highlighted the gaps in service during a recent discussion, showcasing a map illustrating the lack of delivery options available to approximately 87,000 people in suburban areas around Stockholm.

On the island of Värmdö, residents can now enjoy fresh meals delivered directly to their door. Since February, they have been able to order from popular restaurants like Bastard Burgers. This service is particularly vital during the summer months when the island's population swells to nearly double its usual size.

How Drone Delivery Works

Aviant's drone delivery system is designed to operate efficiently within a radius of six miles, ensuring that meals arrive hot and fresh. The delivery process is significantly more cost-effective than traditional car or bike services, as drones eliminate the need for human drivers. Currently, the service is in a beta phase, limiting deliveries to around ten items a week as they refine their operations.

Fagernæs shared insights into the technological advances that have made this possible. Early trials faced numerous challenges, including issues with food temperature during transit. However, improvements to their insulated containers mean that deliveries now arrive warm, even in the colder months. Fagernæs described the community's excitement, comparing the drone deliveries to a UFO bringing food, reflecting a blend of novelty and practicality.

Expanding Horizons: Future Plans for Aviant

Aviant's goal is to replicate the success of their pilot programme on Värmdö across other communities in Scandinavia. The next target is the Norwegian peninsula of Nesodden, which, despite being only four miles from Oslo, faces logistical hurdles due to the lengthy road journey. Fagernæs estimates that around 100,000 people in Nesodden will gain access to food delivery services that were previously unavailable.

The potential for expansion is significant, with Aviant identifying around 40 additional bases across Scandinavia for the next two years. Fagernæs sees parallels in other regions, such as Canada and parts of the northeastern United States, where similar geographical challenges exist.

Overcoming Challenges: Weather, Regulations, and Economics

Despite the promising outlook, Aviant is not without its challenges. Weather conditions can impact drone operations, with high winds potentially grounding flights. However, Fagernæs remains optimistic, expecting a 90% uptime for their service. Additionally, the economic feasibility of drone deliveries in rural areas has been a significant consideration. Previous attempts by other companies have struggled due to the high costs associated with long-distance deliveries and the lack of a sufficient customer base.

For instance, while Aviant successfully delivered various cuisines outside Trondheim in the past, the service was ultimately discontinued in August 2023 due to financial constraints. Similar stories can be found in the UK, where Skyports has explored drone delivery in the Orkney Islands. Their efforts have included delivering school meals, but they faced the same economic viability challenges when considering more extensive meal delivery services.

Regulatory Hurdles in the UK

In the UK, drone operators must navigate complex regulations set by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This includes securing designated airspace to minimise the risk of accidents and ensuring safe operations. The stringent rules can deter potential new entrants into the market compared to other regions like Europe and Asia, where regulations may be more flexible. However, as Skyports’ director Alex Brown pointed out, the UK government is beginning to ease restrictions for rural operators, making it easier to launch innovative services in less populated areas.

Case Studies: Success and Sustainability in Drone Delivery

Globally, various companies have attempted to establish drone delivery services in rural areas. In addition to Aviant and Skyports, German firm Wingcopter has successfully delivered everyday goods to rural residents. In China, local councils have funded drone deliveries of hot meals to elderly villagers living in remote mountainous regions. However, sustaining these services without ongoing government or corporate sponsorship remains a challenge, as logistics for rural deliveries often prove economically unviable.

Despite the hurdles, there are promising models emerging. For example, Skyports is exploring how to repurpose drones used for Royal Mail deliveries to offer meal delivery services to all residents in the Orkneys. This strategy underscores the importance of identifying anchor customers to subsidise the core costs of drone deliveries, allowing additional services to be integrated later on.

The Future of Food Delivery: What’s Next?

The future of food delivery, particularly in rural and island communities, looks bright with the advent of drone technology. As companies like Aviant pave the way for innovative solutions, the potential to bridge the gap between urban convenience and rural needs is becoming increasingly feasible. The success of these services will hinge on their ability to address logistical, economic, and regulatory challenges while maintaining food quality and safety.

As we look ahead, the question remains: can drone delivery become a standard service across all communities, or will it remain a niche solution for specific geographic challenges? The answer lies in how well these companies adapt and innovate in the face of evolving circumstances.

FAQs

What is Aviant's food delivery service?

Aviant is a Norwegian start-up that offers food delivery services via drone, focusing on underserved communities in Scandinavia, starting with Värmdö, Sweden.

How does drone delivery work?

Drone delivery involves using unmanned aerial vehicles to transport food directly to customers' doorsteps, significantly reducing delivery times and costs compared to traditional methods.

What challenges does Aviant face with drone delivery?

Aviant faces challenges such as adverse weather conditions, regulatory hurdles, and the economic viability of sustaining their service in rural areas with limited customer bases.

How are other companies approaching drone delivery?

Other companies, such as Skyports and Wingcopter, have also ventured into drone delivery, focusing on both everyday goods and meals in rural areas, often with government or corporate support.

What are the future plans for drone delivery in Scandinavia?

Aviant plans to expand its drone delivery services to other regions in Scandinavia, with a focus on areas similar to Värmdö and Nesodden, where traditional delivery methods are challenging.