DoorDash has unveiled a drone for a Northern California pilot with Chipotle and Popeyes. A burrito arriving by air is a very specific version of the future, and apparently we are working on it.
The company’s September 30 announcement gives us a look at the aircraft and its first restaurant partners. It also leaves a few important questions open for anyone wondering whether dinner can fly to their house.
Where will DoorDash Air deliver?
The planned pilot is in Northern California, with Momo N Curry joining Chipotle and Popeyes among the first partners. DoorDash has not listed exact towns, a customer start date or delivery prices in this announcement.
So having one of those restaurants nearby is not enough to know whether your address will qualify. This is an early pilot to watch, rather than a new option everyone can select tonight.
The five-minute number needs context
DoorDash says its initial tests averaged under five minutes from restaurant to doorstep. Those estimates come from a limited sample of U.S. deliveries with restrictions on distance and size, and delivery times are not guaranteed.
That clock starts at the restaurant. It is not a promise that five minutes after you tap “order,” lunch will appear. Food preparation still matters, which is a fairly significant detail when the thing you are waiting for is dinner.
The drone has six propellers and a winch for pickup and drop-off. Weather, distance and the order itself help determine whether an air delivery makes sense.
What is actually new here?
DoorDash announced its in-house air program in July, after receiving FAA air-carrier certification. September’s news is the aircraft reveal and planned restaurant pilot.
The July announcement also says human Dashers remain essential, including for large orders and deliveries up apartment buildings. A drone does not make every awkward delivery address disappear.
For now, the useful things to watch are the actual service map, checkout price and launch date. The flying burrito is the fun part. Finding out whether it can reach your front door is the part that makes it useful.
