Behind the scenes of drone food delivery in Finland

In Finland, where the weather can be quite challenging, food deliveries are taking to the skies. Following the recent Slush conference in Helsinki, entrepreneur Ville Leppälä provided insights into an innovative collaboration involving Manna, an Irish drone delivery service, Wolt, a food delivery platform owned by DoorDash, and his own venture, Huuva. Founded in 2022, Huuva aims to enhance food access in suburban areas, having originally started as a cloud kitchen. Now, the company has adopted drone technology to expedite deliveries. Customers ordering from Huuva’s location in Niittari, Espoo, are informed that their food may arrive via drone, a concept that Leppälä believes is particularly suited for the region. While European suburbs are typically denser than those in the U.S., residents of places like Espoo still encounter a limited selection of dining options compared to urban centers. Huuva allows customers to order from popular restaurant brands, and the use of drones ensures these meals arrive more swiftly, according to Leppälä. Manna, which has successfully completed over 50,000 deliveries in Dublin, quickly launched its operations in Finland after securing the necessary permits. Starting from a pilot program in February, drone deliveries have been fully operational in Espoo for the past two months, utilizing a shared launchpad with Wolt Market, a delivery-only grocery outlet. This setup enables customers to order a variety of foods and groceries simultaneously, as each drone can carry up to 4.4 pounds and Manna can deploy two drones at once. Drones offer significant advantages over traditional delivery methods, especially during peak hours when traffic congestion can delay drivers. Leppälä noted that this efficiency is crucial for ensuring that food remains fresh upon arrival. Moreover, this method is expected to reduce delivery costs, with Huuva estimating that drone deliveries could drop to around €1 ($1.16) compared to the current €5-6 ($6-8) for regular deliveries. While Manna's Irish drones are equipped to handle various weather conditions, including rain and wind, challenges such as icing are addressed by utilizing alternative delivery methods. Safety remains a priority, with rigorous procedures in place, including regular battery checks and a parachute system for emergencies. Currently, Manna's operations are managed from Ireland, where staff monitor flight paths and ensure compliance with regulations. If conditions are unfavorable for drone delivery, orders revert to traditional couriers. The drones utilize LiDAR technology for navigation and require human confirmation before dropping packages, ensuring reliability in the delivery process. As Manna ramps up its operations, they are preparing for their first winter in Finland and exploring opportunities for further expansion. Leppälä has expressed interest in adjusting their delivery systems to make operations even more efficient, including potentially branding their delivery bags, which are already designed to meet regulatory standards. This pioneering approach to food delivery could set a new standard in the industry, paving the way for more drone-based logistics solutions in the future.