NOT LOVIN’ MCMANNA DRONE IDEA
Big Mac won’t be taking to air
MCDONALD’S have clarified they are not going to be taking to the skies delivering food by drones.
Speculation had followed after images emerged of the flying machines over one of their outlets in Blanchardstown, West Dublin.
Following the appearance of the pictures on X a query was made to Mcdonald’s.
A spokesman said: “Your query on the Mcdonald’s drone testing at Blanchardstown has been followed up on and we can confirm that this is not something Mcdonald’s is involved in.”
However, drone delivery company Manna, have confirmed they will be operating a food delivery service in the same area.
They are due to make an announcement shortly as to which food outlets in Blanchardstown will be involved in drone deliveries.
The scheme would also see food and other items delivered straight to people’s doors in three minutes to a 3km radius from the outlets.
It is estimated the deliveries will reach 130,000 households.
Michael Cunningham,
Head of Commercial at Manna said: “Multiple food outlets will be involved and this is the first commercial rollout of drone deliveries in Europe.
“Our operation base in Blanchardstown is on the corner of a car park and we will be starting with four to five drones and we have space for up to nine.
“Initially we will be delivering to a 3km range and possibly expanding to a 4 to 5km range with deliveries in three minutes.”
Manna began delivering takeaways in Balbriggan, north Dublin several years ago on a trial basis. Last year, Manna CEO Bobby Healy said each drone can carry 3.5 kilos and 30 litres of volume.
Speaking then on Newstalk’s Pat Kenny’s Show, Mr Healy said the delivery application will allow users to fill their baskets, and then they will be asked to provide an exact location of where the delivery should be made.
He added: “It flies at an airspeed of about 100km/h to the pin drop and then it descends to about 15 metres and it hovers there.
“The doors underneath – the cargo bay doors – open and we winch the product down to the ground.
“It takes about six seconds when it leaves the aircraft to get to the ground.”
While the service is currently limited to grocery, coffee and takeaway vendors, Mr Healy said Manna is expanding to provide pharmacy deliveries.
Mr Healy said the aircraft is “about the size of a large golden retriever”, with four propellers on top.
He added: “It’s sealed by cargo bay doors that are made from carbon fibre – really, really strong.
“They’re designed so they fly in an airspeed of 110 kph – which is ground speed of 60km/h – and then winds of 13 metres per second, which is about 50km/h winds.
He went on: “It’s an aviation-grade product and it has to be because we’re flying over people.
“We have a parachute on board. So, in the worst event, if something went horribly wrong.
“The parachute deploys and we bring the aircraft to the ground and it will damage the aircraft but it won’t hurt anybody.”
The first commercial rollout of drone delivery MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM MANNA COMPANY