Australian fast-food software company Dragontail Systems is deploying autonomous drones to combat delivery problems during Covid-19.

The company is known for optimising the restaurant order and delivery process for brands such as Dominos, KFC and Pizza Hut. It is now deploying an autonomous drones control system to increase delivery capabilities by flying meals to drivers for pick-up in remote landing zones.

The drones are integrated with the company’s Algo dispatching system, a platform that uses AI-based technology to optimise and manage the food preparation process from order to delivery.

The drones are the latest innovation to combat delivery problems exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. With a heightened demand for delivery orders, the drones offer restaurants and ghost kitchens an opportunity to reach more consumers in suburbs and rural areas while alleviating the need for delivery drivers to remain close to restaurants.

Delivery drivers can meet at the drone landing zones, ranging from parking lots to other remote destinations, where the drones will drop off orders directly from the kitchen.

“This technology is vital to the current crisis impacting the restaurant industry,” said Ido Levanon, CEO of Dragontail Systems. “Our drone deliveries provide restaurants and delivery drivers an opportunity to reach an extended customer base while doing so in a safe and cost-effective manner.”

In addition to supporting the efforts of restaurants, ghost kitchens and delivery drivers, customer satisfaction is at the forefront of the drone technology. Through the Algo dispatching system, the drones will deploy orders based on optimised scheduling that ensure orders are dispatched when hot and fresh. Simultaneously, Algo monitors the exact location of each drone to ensure timely drop offs.

“The dining experience may look and feel different, but catering to the customer journey remains at the core of the restaurant industry’s success,” Levanon said. “Our technology prioritises this by optimising the entire order and delivery process to amplify customer satisfaction, and our drone technology is an added layer in achieving that goal.”

The Algo platform uses a patented algorithm to optimise and manage the entire food preparation process from order to delivery. It automates and streamlines the kitchen flow to deliver an immediate return on investment to fast-food outlets. The system’s sensor and camera automatically monitor the preparation and cooking process in the kitchen to improve the quality and consistency of meals. Using patented AI machine-learning technology, the system keeps improving its diagnostics, becoming more efficient.

Dragontail products are installed in approximately 2500 stores in Canada, Australia, Asia and Europe and for the first time are being offered to the US market.