What motivated you to create Manna, and how does it aim to address the challenges of last-mile delivery in suburban areas?
The inception of Manna was primarily rooted in my personal frustration with the inefficiency and unavailability of last-mile delivery services in suburban areas. Living in a suburb of Dublin, I experienced firsthand the inconvenience of the absence of delivery services due to the perceived economic and environmental unviability associated with low population densities. I vividly remember a delivery driver idling in a diesel car outside a restaurant, a scenario that exemplified an impractical and unsustainable method of delivery, both for people and the planet.
Manna was conceived to bridge this gap, offering an efficient, eco-friendly, and economically viable solution. Leveraging drone technology, we aim to make last-mile deliveries seamless and sustainable. Drones are not only environmentally friendly but are also designed to service areas where traditional delivery systems are ineffective, transforming the experience for customers residing in suburbs and promoting local businesses through enhanced accessibility.
How did you ensure the legal and economic feasibility of using drones for delivery, and what makes it a sustainable option?
The initial phase of establishing Manna was marked by addressing existential questions related to the legal and economic feasibility of drone deliveries. We were confronted with uncertainties surrounding aviation laws and the economic sustainability of employing autonomous robots for deliveries. Fortunately, Europe’s well-defined aviation regulations and their support for drone delivery innovations provided a clear pathway for us.
The economic viability of drone delivery was another crucial aspect we scrutinized. Despite the positive environmental impact, it was essential to ensure the economic sensibility of the operation. Today, our drone delivery system is not only eco-friendly but also profitable on a per-flight basis.
We have successfully demonstrated that green technology can be both economically viable and environmentally beneficial, aligning with the contemporary needs of efficient and sustainable last-mile delivery solutions.
What are the size and weight limitations of your drone deliveries?
Despite common perceptions, our drones are adequately sized and capable of handling most last-mile delivery needs. Each drone, measuring 1.8 meters motor to motor, can transport up to 3.5 kilos, covering over 90% of the single-basket grocery market and takeaway food deliveries.
Our operation is already more cost-effective than traditional road-based delivery systems. We are confident that drone deliveries, with their speed and efficiency, will significantly bolster local businesses and improve the quality of life in suburban communities. Our drones’ ability to deliver within three minutes not only reduces CO2 emissions but also makes the process highly reliable and customer-friendly.
Can you provide insights into the scale of your operations and how you anticipate handling a surge in drone deliveries?
Currently, one drone accomplishes six deliveries per hour, or 72 per day. We have successfully completed over 140,000 delivery flights in Ireland alone and plan to extend our services to about 2.5 million residents across three European countries. Despite the impressive scale of operations, the visible and audible presence of drones remains minimal, ensuring that the community is not disrupted.
We have calculated the traffic based on the housing density and frequency of orders per household, ensuring that the airspace remains uncluttered. Our data indicates that even with increased usage, the presence of drones will remain inconspicuous, and the efficiency of the service will not be compromised. As we move forward, adapting to the dynamic nature of delivery demands and ensuring the seamless integration of drone delivery into everyday life remains a priority.
Can you elaborate on your partnership with Coca-Cola HBC?
Our partnership with Coca-Cola HBC has been nurtured over several years, marked initially by their keen interest in our drone delivery operations in Dublin and Galway and a subsequent investment through their Ventures arm. Coca-Cola HBC recognized the strategic advantage of drone delivery as a means to efficiently reach consumers in suburban communities. They appreciated the technology for its potential to revolutionize last-mile delivery services and, importantly, its eco-friendly credentials align with their emissions reduction goal. Witnessing our operations firsthand, they observed the quiet and efficient nature of our drones, reinforcing their belief in drone delivery as a viable distribution channel.
This collaboration signifies an important endorsement for us. Having a globally recognized business like Coca-Cola HBC - covering 29 markets and refreshing more than 715 million consumers - acknowledge the relevance and immediacy of our technology is monumental. It underscores our belief that drone delivery is not a far-fetched concept but a practical and sensible alternative to road-based delivery. We are not envisioning an improbable future; instead, we are offering a tangible, present-day solution that aligns with the climate goals of forward-thinking companies like Coca-Cola HBC.
In the context of COP 28, what message would you like to convey regarding your innovative drone delivery service?
Our message is unambiguous and straightforward. We invite stakeholders, including policymakers, to come to Ireland to witness the simplicity and efficacy of our drone delivery system. It stands as a superior alternative to traditional road-based last-mile delivery, not just in terms of efficiency but also in its positive environmental impact. Observing our operations firsthand will underscore the tangible benefits and potential of this technology to transform delivery systems globally.
Moreover, drone delivery is not just about environmental conservation; it is also a catalyst for job creation in suburban communities across Europe. As we navigate and address the climate crisis, innovations like ours offer dual benefits of economic growth and environmental sustainability. We believe that our technology can play a significant role in the global effort to mitigate climate impacts, offering an immediate, efficient, and green solution for last-mile delivery.
