In Dublin Ireland, a drone company by the name of Manna may soon deliver ice cream to your doorstep. Like their Biblical counterpart, Manna aims to provide food to citizens from the skies. They will start their trial deliveries as soon as March, and at the center of their drone delivery service is Ben & Jerry’s. Yes, for people around the University College Dublin, ice cream is but a button push away.
A Delivery from Above
Manna plans to create a drop-off point for delivered goods in the university. At this drop-off point, drones will deliver fast food from the nearby shops. The university is an excellent delivery point, as it is home to a variety of civilians – from students, teachers, to nearby residents. Manna claims that these drone deliveries can transport the food from the shops to the university point in under 3 minutes.
While the idea of a centralized drone delivery system is great, this idea may have some issues.
Ice Cream Issues
Soon, door-to-door deliveries may even provide you with ice cream straight from the shops. While it may be a great concept for hot food, would something that requires constant low temperature be a good idea for drone delivery?
Ice cream is a far more volatile form of food. Compared to other fast food and takeout, it has a shorter shelf life. Without proper temperature, it can go wrong very quickly. Storage becomes a top priority, as the compartment a drone will use to carry the cargo would determine the outcome. While the company promises 3 minutes of delivery time, a lot can happen in that period. Without proper insulation, your ice cream may melt before it even arrives at your door.
What do you think? Will frozen treats fall from the heavens? Or will it end up as watery cream at room temperature?
