Grab is launching a three-month trial for drone food deliveries in Singapore, specifically targeting the Tanjong Rhu area. The pilot program, developed in collaboration with ST Engineering, aims to assess the effectiveness of drone technology in improving delivery efficiency and reducing wait times.
The service will operate from Tuesday to Sunday, between 10 AM and 6 PM, allowing for up to 28 deliveries daily. Each drone round-trip is expected to last approximately eight minutes, significantly cutting delivery times across the Kallang River, which currently complicates logistics for delivery partners. Food delivery riders will still play a crucial role, transporting orders to drone launchpads and completing final deliveries after the drones land.
Training has been provided to over 20 riders for efficient drone handoffs, emphasizing safety and operational effectiveness. The trial, limited to Tanjong Rhu consumers and select merchants from Bugis, Kampong Glam, and Suntec City, is designed with noise and privacy considerations in mind. Feedback will be collected from stakeholders to refine the technology's application in food delivery.