Dublin, May 2025 — Deliveroo has taken a bold step into the future of food delivery with the launch of its first autonomous drone delivery service in Dublin, in collaboration with Irish drone technology firm Manna Drones Inc. The pilot program, announced Thursday, aims to revolutionize suburban food delivery, offering ultra-fast drop-offs and reducing reliance on gig economy riders.
High-Speed Drone Deliveries Take Off
The new service will be available to Deliveroo customers in select areas of West Dublin, specifically within a three-kilometer radius of the Blanchardstown area. Orders will be dispatched from Manna’s drone delivery hub and transported via autonomous drones flying at speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph), with delivery times as fast as three minutes.
During the initial test phase, eligible users will see a drone delivery option directly in the Deliveroo app. The pilot will evaluate how effective the airborne service is in serving less densely populated suburban areas — a long-standing challenge in the food delivery market.
“We’re excited to explore how drones can help us reach new customers, complementing our existing rider model. If successful, we see strong potential to expand drone deliveries across Ireland and into other markets,” said Carlo Mocci, Chief Business Officer at Deliveroo.
What’s Being Delivered?
Currently, the pilot program includes select food deliveries from participating restaurants. However, Deliveroo and Manna have ambitious plans: over the next six months, the service is expected to expand to include grocery and retail items, broadening the appeal and utility of drone-powered logistics.
Part of a Global Movement
Deliveroo’s venture into drone delivery comes amid a global shift in last-mile logistics. Across the world, delivery companies are investing heavily in autonomous solutions to cut costs, shorten delivery windows, and improve sustainability.
Manna is no newcomer to the drone delivery scene. Since its founding in 2019, the company has completed over 170,000 flights in Ireland. It also operates in Finland and Texas, with further plans to expand to the UK and other EU countries by the end of the year.
In March, Manna also inked a partnership with Just Eat Takeaway.com for drone deliveries in Dublin. Beyond food, Manna aims to lead in retail and healthcare delivery, similar to US-based Zipline International, which uses drones to deliver medical supplies in Africa and beyond.
Airspace Innovation & Safety
Manna is actively involved in shaping the regulatory future of drone operations. The company is part of a UK consortium alongside Wing and Lancashire Fire and Rescue, funded by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. The initiative focuses on developing systems for safe airspace sharing between multiple drone operators — a key concern as commercial drone activity increases.
With this launch, Deliveroo is not just delivering food — it’s delivering the future. If successful, this test could become a blueprint for drone-based logistics across Europe, transforming how we think about convenience, speed, and urban mobility.
Stay tuned. Your next order might just drop from the sky.