DoorDash Says Its Drone Can Deliver Food in Under Five Minutes

DoorDash has revealed more details of DoorDash Air, its planned drone delivery program. The company says initial tests suggest orders can reach customers in under five minutes on average.

The six-propeller aircraft is planned for a trial in Northern California, in partnership with restaurant brands including Chipotle and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen. DoorDash estimates that around 80% of customer orders are light enough to carry by drone. The company says it has also worked on the pickup and drop-off infrastructure and ordering system.

The drones are designed to lower deliveries in front of a customer’s door or in a backyard, rather than land. DoorDash says they will have failsafes that allow them to land safely in emergencies. The company says their cruising noise at delivery height will be comparable to a passing car.

Noise has been a concern for Amazon’s Prime Air service in Richardson, Texas, which launched there last December. TechSpot reports that residents have complained about the drones’ frequent buzzing, which some have compared to a flying lawnmower. Residents say dozens can pass overhead each day. Amazon says noise complaints make up a small share of customer feedback; its aircraft are permitted to fly from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.