Drone food delivery will soon be available in Brazil as iFood announced today that the company received regulatory approval from Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). The Latin American food delivery service got permission to operate two drone food delivery routes in Campinas City. 

The operation iFood in terms of using drones is coordinated with the drone company Speedbird Aero. According to The Spoon, this is the first time that Latin America approved drone-assisted food deliveries. 

iFood will start drone food deliveries in October. However, the food won't be delivered directly to the customer's front door; instead, iFood will use a hybrid technique that includes drones and last-mile ground transportation.

Drone Food Delivery will Finally be Available in Brazil through iFood and Speedbird Aero
(Photo : Marcelo Hernandez)
Town Of Catapilco Uses Drones To Aid Seniors CATAPILCO, CHILE - APRIL 23: Drone pilot Aldo Figueroa delivers aid to people amid the lockdown measures to halt the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) on April 23, 2020 in Catapilco, Valparaiso Region, Chile. A program of Zapallar Municipality uses drones to bring medicine and food for elderly people and vulnerable families in quarantine.

From a food court in Iguatemi Campinas, a large shopping complex, drones fly its first route to an iFood Hub roughly 400 meters away. Drones would only take two minutes to fly and drop the food off at the hub. Then, it will be picked up by drivers for the final delivery. 

The coordination of drones and ground transport is the same as Uber's approach. Which is taking its drone delivery in the U.S. Flying drones will make it a one flight path between two set points. So there would be no several regulatory hoops to ensure drones don't fly over things like first responder facilities or schools. 

From theoretical, drone delivery services became more realistic, and this year has been a busy year. Flytrex has been dominating the drone food delivery service in Iceland and has been making its moves into the U.S. Manna started making drone food deliveries in Dubin, Ireland. In Mobile, Alabama, drone deliveries of groceries are coming to Rouses Market.

Technology advancement and societal conditions are combined to elevate the level of how the countries are still handling the situation. Even if being in control means that food delivery by drone is the upgrade way to continue everyday life amidst the coronavirus pandemic. COVID-19 is still surging and re-surging in the U.S. and anywhere. Thus, this struggle off-premises restaurant eating, and dining rooms are forced to shut down.

Through the help of Speedbird Aero, Brazil will have a lighter mode of food delivery services. Speedbrid Aero is the first company in Latin America and Brazil to operate unmanned aerial systems or drones to manage and deliver products and medicines. 

Speedbird Aero started the certification process in 2019 for the first remotely piloted aircraft in Brazil. The company's goal is to continue developing drone delivery with its partners' support and under the supervision of Brazilian aeronautical entities to regulate the sector.

On the other hand, Uber first revealed its new UberEats drone in October 2019. The company was using the design for food deliveries and tested the drones in San Diego. 

Uber's drone has six rotors that rotate and allows the drone to take off vertically. Their drone can carry a load of dinner for two. However, it is not also meant for direct dropoff to the customer's door. The drone has only a round trip range if 12 miles or equivalent to 18 minutes of flight time. 

Check these out:

Latin Artists' Good Deeds to People Who are in Need During COVID-19 Pandemic

How Latin Companies Can Boost Their Brand Awareness With Corporate Gifts

5 Brazilian Beauty Products You Have to Try