Reports are stating that autonomous drones will be in use in Dubai by 2024 for last-mile deliveries including snacks and packages.
Prototypes of the drones were exhibited at the recent Gitex Global 2023, which was held at the Dubai World Trade Centre, and showed attendees how after placing orders for meals, they were delivered in under four minutes.
The pilot project was demonstrated by Dubai-based FEDS Drone-powered Solutions (FEDS) and Chinese company Meituan UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems).
Rabih Bou Rached, Founder and CEO of FEDS, said: “Drone delivery is a better alternative to human delivery as it is faster because there is no traffic in the air [meaning] the order will come quicker.”
Full scale and citywide operation is expected to happen in the next two years, according to Rached.
Dubai Municipality has confirmed at Gitex Global that it is actively working to map the airspace in the city to plan routes and landing locations for drones.
Read more: Dubai Silicon Oasis Hosts Drone Delivery Trials Conducted by UAE's Jeebly and Skye Air