Food delivery drones are flying in New Jersey

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Food delivery drones are flying in New Jersey

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You place a food order, check your phone, and instead of the driver pulling up, a drone drops your food in your front yard. That scenario is already playing out in the Garden State. But before you get too excited, this is still a limited experiment.

Grubhub recently launched the first drone-powered food delivery pilot in New Jersey, and it’s getting a lot of attention. The three-month program began on March 18 in Green Brook, a few miles from Middlesex. If you live within 2.5 miles of the site, you may be able to try it yourself.

Even better, you won’t have to pay anything extra to choose the drone option.

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YOUR DOORDASH ORDER MAY ARRIVE FROM SPACE AS DRONE DELIVERIES CONTINUE

Grubhub is launching a three-month drone delivery trial in New Jersey, offering quick delivery at no additional cost. (Grubhub)

Table of Contents

How the drone delivery system works

The program is based out of Wonder’s Green Brook location, which operates a multi-service kitchen. That means your order can come from one of 15 different food concepts, all prepared in the same location.

Here’s how it works step by step:

You order through the Grubhub app
You choose drone delivery if you qualify
Your food is prepared and protected by trained staff
An airplane that flies on a pre-approved route
The order is safely lowered using a tether

You can track everything in real time, just like regular delivery. It sounds familiar, but the last step looks very different.

Why this may be faster than your normal delivery

Time is of the essence when you are hungry. This is where drones may have a real advantage. Unlike drivers, drones do not deal with traffic, stops or parking. Fly directly to your destination using advanced flight paths.

Grubhub says delivery should come faster than traditional methods. Although that will vary based on circumstances, the goal is simple. Less wait, more food. This test will help the company see if that promise still exists in the real estate.

US AIR TAXI CAN DELIVER THIS TYPE

The Grubhub plane sits in the parking lot outside the Wonder building.

New Jersey residents within range can order food via drone, with real-time tracking and gated delivery. (Grubhub)

The technology behind delivery drones

The system uses the DE-2020 Drone from Dexa, a company specializing in autonomous delivery systems.

This is not a hobby drone. It is an automatic aircraft designed for commercial use.

Key features include:

FAA certified operations for safety and compliance
Secure communication systems during flight
Controlled lowering using a tether system
Pre-programmed routes to reduce noise and disturbance

Before each flight, the crew checks that the food is packed and protected properly. That step helps prevent spills or problems in the air. In short, there is more going on behind the scenes than simple departures and arrivals.

We reached out to Grubhub, and a spokesperson issued the following statement:

“Our partnership with Dexa represents a major step forward in Grubhub’s commitment to innovation,” said Abhishek “PJ” Poykayil, SVP of Customer Delivery Operations at Wonder and Grubhub. “By connecting Grubhub’s marketplace technology, Wonder’s new mealtime platform, and Dexa’s advanced drone technology, we are proud to introduce the fastest and most efficient way for diners in New Jersey to experience food delivery without compromising safety or reliability.”

We also contacted Dexa to find out more about the technology behind the program. CEO and founder Beth Flippo shared the following with CyberGuy:

“At Dexa, we are proud to power the foundational autonomous technology that enables this new generation of on-demand delivery. Our partnership with Grubhub combines their industry-leading transportation network with our advanced autonomous platform, designed to safely navigate complex environments, improve real-time routing, and operate reliably without the need for automated human intervention in the future. They will be seamlessly woven into everyday life, from delivering food and goods to supporting transportation, infrastructure and services As consumers continue to expect faster, more efficient and more sustainable options, autonomy will play a key role in meeting those expectations at scale.

FORGET DRONES, THIS SMART ROBOT COULD BE THE FUTURE OF LOCAL DELIVERY

An airplane flies above a building with a legible sign "Wonder."

Autonomous drones designed by Dexa deliver food to a central kitchen, bypassing traffic in a new suburban inspection system. (Grubhub)

Why companies are pushing drone delivery now

This movement is not random. It’s part of a major shift in the way companies think about delivery. You and I want speed, simplicity and reliability. At the same time, businesses want to cut costs and grow faster. Drone delivery sits in the middle of that.

It eliminates many of the delays associated with traditional delivery. It also opens the door to new models, especially in urban areas where distances are manageable.

We are already seeing this game in other parts of the country. Companies like Wingbacked by Google’s parent company Alphabet, have been testing and expanding drone delivery for food, retail and small packages in select US markets.

This New Jersey experiment is another step in that direction, and it shows how quickly the space is evolving.

What does this mean to you?

Even if you’re not in Green Brook, New Jersey, this is still important. Here’s why:

You may get faster delivery

If this works, shorter delivery times may be the norm.

You can see many delivery options

Apps may soon offer options such as pilot, robot or drone depending on your location.

May change delivery charges

Currently, there is no extra money. In the future, pricing models may change according to speed and demand.

Your area may see a lot of drones

That raises questions about noise, safety and privacy that communities will need to address.

This is not just about food. The same technology can extend to groceries, shops and medical supplies.

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Kurt’s priority is taking

It’s easy to see drone delivery as some kind of cool experiment. But something big is beginning to form upon us. For the first time, the sky is becoming part of everyday delivery. Today is takeout. Tomorrow could be groceries, last minute essentials or emergency services. If these technologies prove to be reliable and comfortable with them, the way you get what you need can change sooner than you expect. So the next time you hear a faint noise upstairs, you might want to look up. It may not be a plane. It can be your dinner on the go. The real question is not whether drones will become a part of everyday life. That’s when you’ll be tracking one to your door.

Can you trust an airplane to deliver your next meal? Why or why not? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning technology journalist with a deep passion for technology, gear and gadgets that make life better through his Fox News & FOX Business morning contributions to “FOX & Friends.” Have a technical question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, story idea or comment on CyberGuy.com.