Latest news with #Manna
The Journal
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Journal
Greens leader calls for urgent meeting on drone use as Deliveroo launches airborne service
GREEN PARTY LEADER Roderic O'Gorman has called for an urgent meeting of authorities to discuss regulations around drone use for commercial deliveries. It comes as online food delivery platform Deliveroo announced it will be initiating air deliveries using drones provided by drone operator Manna which has been delivering food items weighing 4kg or less for over a year in Dublin 15. The move gives customers in the area the opportunity to avail of extra fast food dispatch from leading local restaurants including Musashi, WOWBurger, Boojum and Elephant & Castle, arriving in as little as three minutes and at a speed of up to 80km/h. The new service will begin with a trial phase in the coming days and will be available to people within a 3km radius of Blanchardstown, Dublin 15. However, Green Party leader and Dublin West TD Roderic O'Gorman, who first raised his concerns in the Dáil in February, has renewed calls for a discussion on commercial use to involve major public stakeholders due to complaints from constituents. He wrote to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport to request it holds an 'urgent session' on the deployment of commercial drones for air deliveries. Green Party leader Roderic O'Gorman. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo 'This is suiting Manna and it's suiting Deliveroo, but I'm not sure if it's suiting the wider community,' O'Gorman told The Journal in relation to complaints made by some locals relating to noise and privacy concerns. 'I asked that we'd urgently look to convene a meeting and bring in Manna, bring in Deliveroo, bring in the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) to actually regulate drone use, and bring in the Department of Transport as well.' He expressed frustration at the delay in the publishing of a report by the Department which, he was told in February, would focus on developing a policy framework around drone use. 'That was in February. That really needs to be published now.' Advertisement He concedes that there are positive uses for drones in society, but hopes for a discussion on regulations to achieve a satisfactory solution for both sides of the debate. 'I see there's a role for drone deliveries [of] maybe medicines in more rural areas,' he said. 'I just think we have to have a discussion about that balance between what's good for a company versus what's good for society.' But Manna, an Irish start up from entrepreneur Bobby Healy, insists noise is 'not going to be an issue'. Healy spoke to The Journal last year where he brushed off concerns about noise polution. 'Right now we're flying 50 metres here in Blanchardstown and we can take it up a little bit higher, but we don't really need to,' he said. 'That's what we have done in Balbriggan, we do it in Texas. So that's not going to be an issue over time.' CEO of Manna, Bobby Healy, beside a delivery drone at the operations hub in Blanchardstown town centre. The Journal The Journal Healy added: 'We're an Irish business, everyone knows us, we're welcome here. Literally everyone is cheering us on, they want it to work.' The IAA said Manna is legally permitted to operate its services within Ireland due to 'a complex 'specific' regulatory category' requiring authorisation recognised in all EU member states. The regulation is enforced by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency and includes requirements for drone operator registration, pilot certification, and specific operational rules depending on the drone's class and the area of operation. The Irish Times wrote about the frustrations of Blanchardstown residents , one of whom said the noise was 'like living close to a helicopter', while another said they had to quit working from home due to the noise levels. Drones have gained increasing popularity in recent years as content creators, explorers and even civil bodies like An Garda Síochána employ them as a method recording footage otherwise impossible to get. They have also seen an uptick in use by event organisers putting on impressive light displays depicting moving figures made up of thousands of synchronised drones fixed with lights. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Elk Tip Toppers 4-H members volunteer at Manna Food Pantry
Jun. 5—WORTHINGTON — For 58 years, the Manna Food Pantry has been in business in the lower hall of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Worthington. The pantry has helped people get access to not just food, but personal hygiene products as well. While the food pantry serves Nobles County, some Nobles County kids are returning the favor. Three sisters — Emma, 15, Clara, 11, and Raeya Hietbrink, 8 — are volunteering with Manna and giving back to their community. The Hietbrink sisters are members of the Elk Tip Toppers 4-H Club in Nobles County. The group had previously raised money and participated in food drives for Manna, but this time the girls got to see what things look like on the other end. Linda Sanchez, the coordinator for Manna, has worked at the food pantry for 13 years. She said the pantry is feeding an increasing number of people each day, and expressed concerns about the growing number of people who struggle with food insecurity. "A lot of that is due to the rising cost of groceries," she said. "Our costs go up just as much as everybody else that goes to the grocery store. So, our fundraisers are really important to us." While the cost of groceries has increased, so have the donations the food pantry has received. Their largest fundraiser of the year, the March Food Campaign, met and surpassed the pantry's goal. "That was a real blessing to the community," Sanchez said. She explained while they only have one food campaign a year, the pantry accepts donations throughout the entire year, whether it be monetary or product donations. Right now, a necessity is fresh produce. "If anybody wants to donate fresh produce, we would love it," Sanchez said. "We always like to have fresh produce on hand." The pantry focuses on keeping healthy items stocked. Sanchez shared they don't carry a lot of less healthy foods such as Hamburger Helper or sweetened cereals, unless they are donated. The pantry is open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and is always looking for volunteers to help. Once a month members of the Trojan football team come in and help unload the supply truck. The Hietbrink sisters volunteered at Manna last year and found it to be a fun experience. "So we came back," Emma, who has been involved in 4-H since she was in kindergarten, said. She also shared that their club raised and donated $500 to Manna last year. "Some people donate food, but you can also donate money," Emma said. "Part of 4-H is helping people." Being a member of the 4-H club comes with responsibilities and expectations to give back to the community. Emma explained, "There's four H's. Head, heart, hands and health. And this is the part of our hands. We help people in our community." When community members walk through the pantry, the girls tell them how many items they can receive and help them as though it were a little grocery store. Emma said it is easier for the younger kids to do this type of community service work, rather some of their other projects, such as landscaping. "It's a more funner experience to help other people," Clara said. Emma works with livestock all summer showing her sheep, goats and cattle. She wants to be a veterinarian one day. Her sisters also work with livestock, but create a lot of crafts as well. Clara said she wants to be a farmer when she grows up and Raeya has plans to follow her oldest sister's goal to become a veterinarian.
Irish Post
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Deliveroo launches drone delivery service in Dublin
DELIVEROO has launched a new drone delivery service in Dublin. The food delivery platform has teamed up with the global drone firm Manna, which was founded in Dublin, to provide the service in Blanchardstown. The trail initiative will cover a 3km radius in the Dublin 15 neighbourhoods, with food from leading local restaurants flown to customers in as little as three minutes. The Deliveroo drone service launched in Dublin today Currently customers can order from the likes of Musashi, WOWBurger, Boojum and Elephant & Castle, although Deliveroo is aiming to expand the service to more restaurants and also launch grocery and retail deliveries within the next six months. Bill Lang, owner of Musashi, said the firm was "delighted" to take part in the pilot. 'We have been serving up authentic sushi for years but never thought we'd see it in the sky, delivered to peoples' doorsteps by drone," he said. "Musashi is delighted to extend our partnership with Deliveroo to drone deliveries, helping us to reach even more customers in the Blanchardstown area." Deliveroo has confirmed it will use the initial trial weeks of the service to assess how drones can 'help serve suburban and harder to reach locations", with the ultimate aim of unlocking new customers through super-fast deliveries which "complement" its existing rider network. 'Our mission is to bring local neighbourhood favourites to as many people's doors as possible, and constantly raise the bar on the experience and service we provide - so I'm thrilled to launch drone deliveries in Dublin today,' Carlo Mocci, Chief Business Officer at Deliveroo, said this morning. Customers in Blanchardstown can now have deliveries flown to their door 'We're excited to explore how drones can help us reach new customers, complementing our existing rider model and if successful, the prospect of expanding drone deliveries across Ireland and into other markets,' he added. Dubliner Bobby Healy, who is CEO and Founder of Manna Air Delivery, said his firm was 'proud' to partner with Deliveroo on the project. 'Air delivery is fast, clean, and safe, offering a new avenue for local businesses to reach more consumers,' Mr Healy said. 'Manna Air Delivery is proud to partner with Deliveroo, a platform trusted by top local restaurants and eateries, to bring this innovative delivery experience to customers,' he added. The collaboration between Deliveroo and Manna will initially cover a 3km radius in Dublin Manna, which has already completed over 170,000 delivery flights in the Dublin 15 area, will operate the drones, which are continuously monitored by a dispatcher when in use. Under the new scheme Deliveroo's drones will be deployed from Manna's local delivery hub, flying at speeds of up to 80 km/h. Upon arrival, the drone hovers and gently lowers the food to the ground via a secure, biodegradable tether. Customers will need to pinpoint a safe drop off, typically a driveway, front or back garden, when making their order. See More: Deliveroo, Dublin, Ireland, Manna
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Deliveroo and Manna introduce drone-based food delivery in Ireland
Deliveroo, in collaboration with Manna Drones, has introduced a drone food delivery service in Dublin, Ireland. This service will be available to Deliveroo customers in the Blanchardstown area of the city. Deliveroo is embarking on a test phase to evaluate the drone service in suburban areas. Manna Drones, an Irish company founded in 2019, has previously entered into a collaboration with Just Eat for drone deliveries in Dublin, to broaden the services across other European nations, as reported by Bloomberg. The initial drone delivery service will encompass a three-kilometre radius in the Dublin 15 area, with the option for drone delivery on the app for customers. Anticipated delivery time could be as low as three minutes, and there are plans to extend the service to more restaurants and introduce grocery and retail deliveries before the end of 2025. Set to be launched from Manna's hub in Blanchardstown, the drones reach speeds of up to 80 km/hour. Deliveroo chief business officer Carlo Mocci stated: 'We're excited to explore how drones can help us reach new customers, complementing our existing rider model and if successful, the prospect of expanding drone deliveries across Ireland and into other markets.' Manna has already completed 170,000 flights in Ireland and operates bases in the US state of Texas and in Finland. The company is also looking to expand its operations to the UK and to European Union countries besides Ireland by the end of 2025. Manna is also a member of a UK consortium that includes Wing and Lancashire Fire and Rescue, which is funded by the UK Civil Aviation Authority. "Deliveroo and Manna introduce drone-based food delivery in Ireland" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site.
Irish Examiner
7 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Examiner
Manna signs drone delivery partnership with Deliveroo
Deliveroo has launched an autonomous drone food delivery service in Dublin in partnership with Irish firm Manna Drones. As part of the partnership, Deliveroo customers in some areas of the suburbs of west Dublin will have the option to have their order delivered by drone, the company said Thursday. It will conduct a test phase in the coming weeks to assess how the drones can help serve suburban locations. Food delivery companies have been investing in drone and robot delivery as part of efforts to reduce the use of gig economy workers and decrease delivery times. Manna in March signed a partnership with Just Eat to deliver food in Dublin with plans to expand the service to other countries in Europe. The company is also planning to expand its operations in Ireland to include Cork and other cities in the coming months. Initially, the Deliveroo service will cover a three-kilometre radius in Dublin 15 and drone delivery will be presented as an option on the app for customers. Delivery times are estimated to be as low as three minutes. The company aims to expand the service to include more restaurants and also launch grocery and retail deliveries in the next six months. The drones will be deployed from Manna's delivery hub in Blanchardstown, flying at speeds of up to 80 kms per hour. 'We're excited to explore how drones can help us reach new customers, complementing our existing rider model and if successful, the prospect of expanding drone deliveries across Ireland and into other markets,' Carlo Mocci, Chief Business Officer at Deliveroo said in a statement. Several companies globally have been investing to increase their drone-delivery capabilities. In the US, Inc has been developing its own drone capabilities. Developments have been hampered by technical challenges and crashes but the company now operates drone deliveries in Texas as well as the UK and Italy. US company Zipline International Inc delivers medicines by drone in a number of African countries. Manna was founded in 2019 and has flown a total of 170,000 flights in Ireland. It also has bases in Finland and Texas and is aiming to be operating in the UK and more European Union countries by the end of the year. The company is part of a UK consortium with Wing and Lancashire Fire and Rescue funded by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to examine how drone operators can safely share airspace. Bloomberg
