Manna, the world’s first aviation-grade B2B drone delivery ‘as-a-service’ platform began delivering groceries, pharmacy items, hardware, medications and hot meals to the estimated 8,000 residents of Oranmore, yesterday (Wednesday ) evening.
The trial is set to last into mid-2021 initially and potentially even longer if the public response is strong. Oranmore will be the first ever location to have everything the local community needs – within three minutes by drone, with close to 20,000 products being made available to users. Manna will provide delivery to frontline workers free of charge. It will also waive the pharmacy delivery fee for the elderly.
Certain aerospace-grade components of the Manna drones have been made by Eire Composites – an Irish company specialising in high reliability components for rockets and commercial aircraft. Flight trials are being conducted in collaboration with local Oranmore retail outlets with the aircraft base taking off and landing from the roof of the Tesco building at the edge of the town.
.
Photo:- Boyd Challenger
To receive deliveries customers in the local area can go to a website and place delivery orders using their EirCode to specify the destination for delivery.
Speaking on the trial Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD, has said she is heartened to see Ireland leading in the highly valuable drone delivery industry.
“It is a testament to Ireland’s indigenous technology industry, and to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA ) for their long term vision on drones and the benefits that they can bring to our society,” she said.
According to Manna Operations Manager Naomi Cullen at Manna, they are very excited about the trial in Oranmore which will reach a larger community.
“We were honoured to be able to help the community in Moneygall get vital supplies during the lockdown, we saw the community really embrace the project and enjoy having deliveries made by drone. We’re looking forward to powering local businesses in Oranmore and allowing them to interact with their communities more conveniently and safely,” she said.
