Flying 'Milk Can' Drones to Start Delivering Food in Sweden

People in some parts of Sweden will soon receive food deliveries through flying drones that look like traditional milk cans.

Flying Milk Can Drones Set to Take Flight in Sweden

Residents in a region of Sweden are on the verge of experiencing a novel mode of food delivery: via flying drones resembling traditional milk cans.

This innovative service, called foodora Air, is a collaborative effort among three Swedish entities: Tele2, a mobile connectivity firm; foodora, a restaurant and grocery delivery company; and Aerit, a drone manufacturer.

Scheduled to debut in May, the service will first take flight in the municipality of Värmdö, located near Stockholm. It aims to extend its reach across the nation. The process begins with customers utilizing the foodora app to place orders from participating local businesses.

Once a customer's residence - typically single-family homes rather than high-rise apartments - is confirmed suitable for drone delivery, the ordered items are packaged into cardboard containers and loaded onto Aerit's Nimbi drones at the respective business locations.

Tele2 Launches foodora Air

In a recent press release, Tele2 unveiled the launch of foodora Air, employing a fleet of electric drones powered by 5G technology to facilitate swift and efficient food deliveries from various eateries in Värmdö.

Stefan Trampus, Executive Vice President of B2B at Tele2, emphasized the transformative potential of this partnership, which will use 5G connectivity to revolutionize delivery services while prioritizing simplicity, sustainability, and innovation.

With a flight range of 21 kilometers and minimal carbon emissions of 2 grams per kilometer, the drones offer an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional delivery vehicles, which emit significantly higher levels of carbon dioxide, as claimed by Tele2.

Trampus underscored the role of technology and connectivity in overcoming rural accessibility challenges, envisioning a future where remote areas can enjoy enhanced access to essential services and products.

Upon deployment, deliveries will endeavor to reach customers' properties directly, with packages lowered via cable from the drone. The initial rollout in May will cater to Värmdö residents, accessible through the foodora app, with plans for expansion to additional Swedish locales, ensuring widespread access to expedited delivery services beyond urban centers.

First in Europe

Daniel Gustafsson Raba, Director of Operations at foodora, expressed pride in pioneering drone delivery in Europe and highlighted the service's broader societal implications.

"We are proud to be the first in Europe to launch real drone deliveries, and we are excited to have Tele2 and Aerit as partners on this exciting journey. Fast home deliveries are a democratic issue, in my opinion," Raba said in the statement.

Regardless of where you are in the country, it should be possible to quickly get what you need, such as medicines or groceries. It should not only be available to people who have chosen to settle in big cities," he added.

To facilitate seamless drone operations, Tele2 will furnish continuous connectivity leveraging 5G Internet of Things (IoT) technology. It ensures rapid data transmission and low latency, which is crucial for safe and efficient delivery operations.

"Technology and connectivity have the potential to break many of the limitations that currently exist in rural areas, where access to various services and products has decreased in line with rapid urbanization," Trampus concluded.