Russia has its own pizza delivery robots

In Mother Russia, we don't deliver pizza. Pizza deliver itself!

 

Motorcycles are so yesterday, and Russia's Dodo Pizza is showing its customers why.

 

The restaurant made its first unmanned delivery last weekend using a copter drone, in the process selling not just a product but an entire experience.

 

"A salesperson takes an order with a tablet. The order instantly appears on a tablet in the pizza restaurant kitchen. Then after some time a copter delivers pizza. It is lowered to the client with special cable. This is the ultimate experience for a client!" it said on a YouTube video demonstrating the sale:

 

 

A report on Russia Today said the pizza drone can carry up to five kilos and transport the load at speeds up to 40 kph. The drone was able to complete the order in just 30 minutes.

Prices for each drone delivery hover at around $15.

 

Built-in security features

 

RT said the drone even makes sure the pizza is not delivered to the wrong customer by using built-in GPS and video cameras monitored by the restaurant manager.

 

"As the manager sees a customer come outside to accept delivery, the pizza is lowered to him using a cable. The drone does not come lower than 20 meters above the ground, so that people could not steal it," it said.

 

People who try to tug on the cable may trigger an anti-theft mechanism that prompts the drone to fly away.

 

However, the drone will not take payments on the spot—the customer has to complete the payment online or by phone.

 

RT drone delivery could be economical in the long run as well, as it can minimize expenses for vehicles, fuel and drivers - all while putting on a show to attract buyers.

 

Other drones out there

 

However, the Russian company is not the first to offer pizza deliveries by drone, according to RT: a company in Mumbai, India tested drone pizza deliveries last May 29.

 

Even ecommerce giant Amazon.com is testing delivery packages using drones, CEO Jeff Bezos last December on the CBS television program "60 Minutes."

 

Bezos said the drones, unmanned vehicles that fly through the air, could deliver packages that weigh up to five pounds (2.3 kg). That represents roughly 86 percent of packages that Amazon delivers, he said.

 

The drones, which would pick up items from Amazon's distribution centers and fly them to customer's homes, probably won't be put into use for four or five years, Bezos said.

 

 

 — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News