Chipotle Launches Drone Delivery With Zipline in Dallas

• Chipotle has partnered with Zipline to deliver digital orders via autonomous drones to select guests in the Dallas area.
• The service, called Zipotle, uses zero-emission aircraft from Zipline that deliver meals directly to customer addresses.

Chipotle has announced a new aerial delivery service called Zipotle, developed in partnership with Zipline. Select customers near Rowlett, Texas, can have their orders flown to them by autonomous drones as part of an early access program.

The drones, called Zips, use Zipline’s quiet, zero-emission aircraft to transport meals directly to homes, backyards, or public parks. Orders are placed into a Zipping Point at the restaurant, then picked up by Zips, which hover at 300 feet and lower the meals to the ground with built-in obstacle avoidance. The service currently operates from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. CT daily and will soon expand to 10 p.m.

"Zipotle is a quick and convenient source of delivery that lets guests enjoy our real food from places that are traditionally challenging to serve, including backyards and public parks," said Curt Garner, President, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at Chipotle, in an official press release. "Zipline's commitment to building an efficient, environmentally friendly delivery experience is synonymous with our mission to Cultivate a Better World."

Zipline designs, builds, and operates its autonomous fleet, which has flown over 100 million commercial miles and completed more than 1.6 million deliveries worldwide. Initially developed for medical supply drops in Rwanda, the system now serves 5,000 hospitals and health centers globally. Zipotle deliveries start with a 5.5-pound limit and will scale up to 8 pounds.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Drone delivery is taking off, literally. Chipotle’s move with Zipline puts it alongside other major players experimenting with the skies as the next frontier for getting food and goods to customers.

Source: Chipotle