ISLAMABAD, Nov 12  : foodpanda, Pakistan’s leading food delivery company on Friday launched a pilot project to test food delivery through a customized drone.

The test flight of the drone conducted in association with the office of the Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, named pandafly took place in the F-9 Park Islamabad.

The use of disruptive technology by foodpanda in the future will mean faster deliveries over longer distances. Further customers living in peri-urban and remote areas will especially benefit, as they have limited options of food outlets in their local area, and with drone delivery, they will be able to order food from main urban centres as well. The last mile of delivery by drone will be completed by a foodpanda rider.

 Its to be noted that this is the first of its kind commercial drone made in Pakistan for this purpose and foodpanda is thus supporting development of local technology.

Speaking on the pilot launch occasion, Nauman Sikandar Mirza, the CEO of foodpanda said “foodpanda’s core ethos is to constantly innovate, stretch the limits and leverage technology to find great solutions for meeting the evolving needs of the people. Before we start actual drone deliveries for our customers, there are still many aspects that need to be thoroughly evaluated and locked in, including technical, operational and legal matters and we are vigorously addressing all these.

The successful test flight and delivery today has been highly encouraging and proves we are on the right flight path.”

 Expressing his views, Deputy Commissioner Islamabad, Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said “e-commerce and the use of technology to serve the citizens is definitely the future, and the Islamabad civil administration stands committed to support anyone who takes the initiative to provide greater convenience and facilities for the public.  He said the Islamabad district administration is adopting the innovative technologies by launching City App to provide 40 services in various sectors to the people.

With the installation of technologies in public sectors, the administration has expanded its revenue collection from Rs 4 billion to Rs 10 billion annually.