In partnership with Speedbird Aero, after carrying out several feasibility tests in Campinas-SP and Aracaju-SE, ANAC grants authorization to the DLV-1 NEO drone to operate on commercial flights on routes of up to three kilometers
iFood, in partnership with Speedbird Aero, will be able to carry out delivery deliveries using RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) throughout Brazil. The authorization for daily commercial use received by ANAC is unprecedented and the first in the Americas.
Two years ago, the project was carried out in a pioneering way during a period of feasibility testing in different regions and contexts, with certification (CAVE) – Certificate of Authorization for Experimental Flight). This period proved the possibility of operating drones for the purpose of deliveries and, with this, obtaining this Authorization that enables the RPA (Remotely Piloted Aircraft) in the DLV-1 NEO model, manufactured by Speedbird Aero, to operate commercially on BVLOS routes ( Beyond Visual Line of Sight, in English), that is, beyond the pilot's visual line of sight. The achievement is considered a milestone in the country's aviation, and also for the delivery segment, as it makes the transport of food and other products in a regular and scalable manner a reality.
“It is a unique achievement for Brazil. This is a historic milestone in aviation, but also in the development of society. It is the beginning of a change that brings new ways and will speed up deliveries in different contexts by using air transport in part of a delivery route”, says Fernando Martins, head of logistics and innovation at iFood. “Drones complement the delivery carried out by couriers on part of the route, with the order being picked up at a droneport”, highlights the manager.
The drone will be able to make deliveries with loads of up to 2.5 kilos within a radius of 3 kilometers, including in urban environments, maintaining safety margins established in the project.
Manoel Coelho, CEO and co-founder of Speedbird Aero believes that, with the advancement of unmanned aerial logistics, delivery prospects open up for expanding the use of the equipment. “The reduction in delivery times, the reduction of costs and pollutant emissions, and the optimization of land traffic are just some of the benefits of this innovative activity, which takes off today in Brazil with the authorization granted by ANAC to the DLV-1 NEO”, concludes Manoel.
“The approval of the DLV-1 NEO deserves to be highlighted because it is the first multirotor approved by ANAC and for its application, delivery of goods. In the process that led to this approval, technical characteristics were explored, based on security requirements. The use of drones to deliver goods is one of the most anticipated applications of the technology. Brazil is at the forefront.” Roberto José Silveira Honorato, ANAC Airworthiness Superintendent.
HISTORY – DRONES ON IFOOD
iFood was the first foodtech to deliver via drone with approvals from competent bodies throughout Latin America. The first Experimental Flight Authorization Certificate (CAVE) was obtained in 2020, for the DLV-1 Legacy model. At the time, the authorization allowed experimental BVLOS flights to be carried out at Shopping Iguatemi in Campinas (SP), which allowed for a more controlled test and speeded up the transportation of orders from the restaurant to the delivery drivers. More than 300 deliveries were made via iFood, with more than 20 partner restaurants in the region.
In 2021, for the first time in the Northeast, new tests were carried out for the delivery of meals connecting two municipalities, between Aracaju and Barra dos Coqueiros, in Sergipe. The drone took an unprecedented route, crossing the Sergipe River from Shopping RioMar Aracaju, and traveling 2.8 kilometers to Barra dos Coqueiros. This journey takes 5 minutes 20 seconds with the drone, whereas the same stretch traveled by land would take between 25 and 55 minutes, which confirmed the validity of using drones as part of delivery modes due to their agility.
The entire operation is carried out by Speedbird, by professionals qualified and prepared for the airworthiness of drones, in a completely safe way.
FUTURE
Following authorization from ANAC, delivery using drones on part of the routes expands the possibilities of action and reach in new areas, in addition to being another non-polluting modal option. “We hope that everyone can benefit from this innovation and new technology, from consumers, restaurants to the delivery people themselves”, concludes Martins.
The project will continue to advance and, as next steps, new locations and the feasibility of operating for investment in other regions of the country will be analyzed.
About iFood
iFood, a reference in online food delivery in Latin America, has 60 million monthly orders. Having been on the market for ten years, the Brazilian company is also present in Colombia. It works together with partners with initiatives that bring together business intelligence and management solutions for the approximately 270 thousand registered establishments in more than a thousand cities throughout Brazil. iFood has important investors, such as Movile, a global leader in mobile marketplaces, and Just Eat, one of the largest online ordering companies in the world. iFood News was recently launched, an iFood news portal that promotes current topics such as the New Economy and content about business curiosities, partners' success stories in addition to addressing trends and innovation in the segment.