Rivals Flytrex and Wing deploy autonomous drone air traffic control. Two drone delivery firms in Dallas, Texas, have deployed an unseen air traffic control system. Flytrex and Wing, industry rivals, developed this autonomous coordination to manage thousands of monthly flights, aiming to prevent collisions in increasingly congested airspace. Flytrex and Wing operate extensively across the Dallas area, competing to deliver items such as burritos, prescriptions, and hot beverages by drone. Their "droneports" are separated by just over 1.6 kilometres, leading to thousands of simultaneous flights each month. This dense operation presented a clear risk of mid-air collisions, which could result in increased regulatory scrutiny and potential operational shutdowns, thereby hindering the drone delivery industry's expansion. And their solution involved creating a shared airspace coordination system, which the competing organisations activated in Dallas approximately 12 months prior. This air traffic control programme functions without human intervention, as the drones themselves negotiate airspace to ensure safe operations and avoid any conflicts. The system has reportedly achieved its objectives. Between Jan. and Feb., Flytrex and Wing conducted approximately 8,000 overlapping deliveries across two North Texas zones, specifically Little Elm and Wylie. During this period, combined daily operations saw a 215 per cent increase month over month. The coordination system successfully deconflicted 100 per cent of all operational intents, with no airspace conflicts recorded. This development represents an early working model of autonomous air traffic control, currently operating in live commercial service. Shai Karassikov, a product manager at Flytrex and co-chair of the U.S. UTM Tech Committee, stated that what they built in Dallas is a proof of concept for the entire industry. But scaling from a few overlapping flights to thousands per month in less than a year demonstrates how multi-operator drone delivery can expand, not just in Dallas, but in other cities across the United States. He emphasised that "scale" is crucial; delivering a few items is one thing, but establishing a citywide drone delivery programme that operates safely and efficiently provides the only route to normalising drone delivery globally. The underlying technical architecture for this system is a strategic coordination service. It is built upon ASTM F3548-21, an international interoperability standard, and operates under the Federal Aviation Administration's UTM, Unmanned Traffic Management, Operational Evaluation. As of Jan., this federal evaluation included 17 UTM service providers and operators, suggesting the framework is evolving from an initiative by two pioneers to an industry-wide standard, according to Forbes. So this progress is seen as a positive indicator for those anticipating drone delivery expansion beyond a limited number of test sites. It raises questions about whether a similar system could augment existing air traffic control for passenger jets and other larger, piloted aircraft. The architecture demonstrated over Dallas, which incorporates software-to-software negotiation, a shared standard, and no singular control bottleneck, offers a potential model for aviation's future. This becomes increasingly relevant as the skies accommodate more and more aircraft operating without pilots. * An autonomous air traffic control system has been introduced by Flytrex and Wing in Dallas, Texas. * The system facilitates negotiation of flight paths between rival drone operators without human oversight. * It successfully managed 8,000 overlapping deliveries with 100 per cent deconfliction between Jan. and Feb. * The technology adheres to ASTM F3548-21, an international interoperability standard, under federal evaluation. * This approach could serve as a model for wider autonomous aviation operations.

Papa Johns: drone delivery without the pizza. admin May 18, 2026 SouthernWorldwide.com - Your next Papa Johns order could soon be delivered from the sky, though don't expect a large pepperoni pizza to be the first item to descend. Papa Johns has initiated a drone delivery trial in partnership with Wing, a drone company owned by Alphabet. The initial flights are being conducted near Sun Valley Commons in Indian Trail, North Carolina, a suburb of Charlotte. Customers within the eligible service area can place orders through the Wing app and receive a select menu of Papa Johns Oven Toasted Sandwiches, including options like Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Bacon Ranch, and Steak & Mushroom. While other companies, such as Little Caesars, are already experimenting with drone delivery for full-sized pizzas in Texas, Papa Johns is adopting a different strategy by starting with sandwiches. The company is currently utilizing a smaller, drone-compatible menu as it collaborates with Wing to develop aerodynamically designed packaging. This specialized packaging is intended to facilitate smoother aerial delivery of future pizza orders. The reason for this phased approach is rooted in the practicalities of drone delivery. A sandwich box is inherently more compact and easier to handle than a pizza box, which is wide, flat, and can be unstable. Anyone who has transported a pizza in a car knows the importance of keeping it level to prevent toppings from shifting. This same challenge is amplified when a drone is involved, as drones have payload limitations and require packages that are stable during flight and compatible with their delivery mechanisms. This explains why Papa Johns is beginning its drone delivery service with sandwiches. Wing has indicated that both companies are working on custom, aerodynamic packaging designs, drawing insights from both Papa Johns' food products and Wing's drone technology. Essentially, the sandwich test serves as a foundational step while the companies refine the methods for packaging food items for future drone delivery. For the time being, the skies are open for toasted sandwiches, but pizza delivery via drone will have to wait. Currently, customers must order through the Wing app. However, the long-term vision is to integrate Wing's drone network directly into Papa Johns' own mobile application and its proprietary AI-powered food ordering agent, which is built on Google Cloud. This integration could eventually make drone delivery a seamless option within the Papa Johns ordering experience, rather than a separate, experimental service. Wing views this partnership as a significant step beyond a single restaurant test, marking its first direct collaboration with a national restaurant brand. This initiative also builds upon Papa Johns' existing relationship with Alphabet through Google Cloud, positioning the partnership as a model for AI-driven restaurant ordering and drone delivery. "This partnership represents a genuine collaboration, bringing together Wing's groundbreaking technology with Papa Johns' dedication to innovation," stated Heather Rivera, Chief Business Officer at Wing. "Together, we are establishing a new framework for how agentic commerce and leading operational design will shape the future of food delivery." Papa Johns emphasizes that this endeavor is about building the future of hot food delivery. This involves more than just attaching food to a drone; it requires adjustments in how workers prepare orders, dedicated space within restaurants for drone pickups, and packaging that can withstand the journey. Furthermore, the technology must be integrated into busy meal times without causing delays in store operations. The latter point is perhaps the most critical test, as a drone delivery system is only effective if it alleviates congestion rather than adding to it. While pizza might seem like an ideal candidate for rapid delivery due to its popularity and the desire for quick meals, pizza boxes present several challenges for drone delivery. A pizza box has a large surface area, which can compromise stability. The box must also remain level, whereas a sandwich can tolerate minor movements. A hot pizza with melted cheese and toppings, however, is far more sensitive to jostling. In response to these challenges, other companies are developing larger drones and specialized delivery systems. Flytrex, for instance, recently announced a partnership with Little Caesars in Wylie, Texas, utilizing its Sky2 drone. This drone is capable of carrying up to 8.8 pounds, traveling up to four miles, and delivering up to two large pizzas along with drinks. This demonstrates that pizza delivery by drone is achievable, and it also sheds light on why Papa Johns might be pursuing a more gradual implementation. Despite ongoing discussions about drone delivery for years, it remains a novel concept for many communities. Wing already collaborates with companies like Walmart and DoorDash and has expanded its services in several metropolitan areas. However, the drone delivery sector faces several obstacles. Environmental factors like weather can disrupt flights, and regulatory frameworks can impose limitations on drone operations. Restaurants need to train their staff on new procedures, and customers must reside within the designated delivery zones. Furthermore, financial viability is a key consideration. While a drone delivery system might appear impressive in promotional videos, the crucial question is whether each delivery can be cost-effective when the system operates daily. For residents in the test area, this initiative offers an exciting opportunity to experience a potentially faster food delivery method and gain a glimpse into the future of takeout. However, the rollout of drone delivery is expected to be incremental, at least initially. Customers will need to be within the correct delivery zone, use the designated app, and select menu items compatible with the drone system's carrying capabilities. A more significant transformation could occur later. If Wing's system becomes directly integrated with the Papa Johns app, customers might eventually see drone delivery as a standard option at checkout, making the experience feel more conventional than using a separate drone app for ordering. The primary advantages for consumers are anticipated to be speed and convenience, as drones can bypass traffic, parking challenges, and some of the delays that affect traditional delivery services during peak hours. Concurrently, practical concerns need to be addressed. Residents may have questions regarding noise levels, safety protocols, privacy issues, and the presence of drones in their neighborhoods. These concerns are likely to intensify as more restaurants adopt similar delivery methods. Papa Johns' decision to deliver sandwiches via drone instead of pizza might seem counterintuitive at first, given its identity as a pizza chain. However, when considering the logistics of transporting a hot, potentially unstable pizza under a drone, the sandwich-first approach becomes understandable. This strategy allows the company to test the technology, offer customers a faster delivery option, and continue to use traditional delivery methods for pizzas until the drone system is fully capable of handling hot pies without compromising their quality. If drone delivery becomes widespread, the question arises: would you be enthusiastic about receiving dinner delivered from the sky, or would the constant buzzing of drones overhead become a nuisance? Southern Worldwide invite you to share your thoughts by writing to Southern Worldwide at CyberGuy.com. Post Views: 34

Papa Johns drone delivery skips the pizza. Papa Johns is testing drone delivery in North Carolina, but the first flights are carrying sandwiches instead of pizza. FOX Business correspondent Madison Alworth reports on drone food delivery services launching in New Jersey on 'America Reports.' Your next Papa Johns order could soon drop from the sky. Just do not expect a large pepperoni pizza to come floating down yet. Papa Johns has launched a drone delivery test with Wing, the drone company owned by Alphabet. The first flights are happening near Sun Valley Commons in Indian Trail, North Carolina, outside Charlotte. Eligible customers can order through the Wing app and receive a limited menu of Papa Johns Oven Toasted Sandwiches, including Philly Cheesesteak, Chicken Bacon Ranch and Steak & Mushroom. Even though Little Caesars is already testing drone delivery for full-size pizzas in Texas, Papa Johns is taking a different route: sandwiches first. For now, the company is using a smaller, drone-friendly menu while it works with Wing on aerodynamically designed packaging that could help future pizza orders fly more smoothly. * Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. * For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com - trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. * Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. Papa Johns says drone delivery could eventually become part of its app-based ordering experience. (Wing) Why Papa Johns drones are starting with sandwiches. A sandwich box is compact. A pizza box is wide, flat and fussy. Anyone who has ever carried a pizza home on the passenger seat of their vehicle knows the rule. Keep it level or prepare for a cheese landslide. That same problem gets trickier when a drone is involved. Drones have payload limits. They also need packages that fit their delivery systems and stay stable during flight. That helps explain why Papa Johns is starting with sandwiches. Wing says the companies are also working on custom, aerodynamic packaging informed by both Papa Johns and Wing. In other words, the sandwich test may be the starting point, while the companies figure out how to package food for future drone delivery. So, for now, the sky is open for toasted sandwiches. The pizza has to wait. How the Papa Johns drone delivery test works. The test is limited to residents near Sun Valley Commons in Indian Trail, North Carolina. Eligible customers can place orders through the Wing app and choose from a curated menu of Papa Johns Oven Toasted Sandwiches. Charlotte-area residents can check delivery eligibility and sign up for updates through Wing's delivery page at wing.com/get-delivery For now, customers order through Wing. However, the longer-term plan is to connect Wing's drone network directly with Papa Johns' own app and its proprietary AI-powered food ordering agent, powered by Google Cloud. That could eventually make drone delivery feel less like a separate test and more like another delivery option inside the Papa Johns ordering experience. Wing says the goal goes beyond one restaurant test. This is Wing's first direct partnership with a national restaurant brand. It also builds on Papa Johns' existing relationship with Alphabet through Google Cloud. The company sees the partnership as a way to build a broader model for AI-powered restaurant ordering and drone delivery. "This partnership is a true collaboration, bringing together Wing's pioneering technology and Papa Johns commitment to innovation," said Heather Rivera, Chief Business Officer at Wing. "Together, we are defining a new blueprint for how agentic commerce and industry-leading operational design will shape the future of food delivery." Papa Johns says the effort is about building the future of hot delivery. That means more than strapping food to a drone. Workers need to prepare orders differently. Restaurants need space for pickup. The packaging has to survive the trip. The technology also has to fit into a busy lunch or dinner rush without slowing the store down. That last part may be the real test. A drone delivery system only works if it helps during the chaos, not after it. Papa Johns is testing drone delivery with Wing in Indian Trail, North Carolina, starting with a limited sandwich menu. (Wing) Why pizza is such a tough drone delivery challenge. Pizza seems perfect for fast delivery. It is hot, familiar and often ordered by people who want food quickly. Yet pizza boxes create several problems for drone companies. A pizza box has a large surface area. That can affect stability. The box also needs to stay flat. A sandwich can tolerate a little movement. A hot pizza with melted cheese and toppings cannot. That is why other companies have been working on bigger drones and special delivery setups. Flytrex recently announced a partnership with Little Caesars in Wylie, Texas, using its Sky2 drone. The company says the drone can carry up to 8.8 pounds, travel up to four miles and deliver up to two large pizzas with drinks. That shows pizza delivery by drone can happen. It also shows why Papa Johns may be taking a slower path. Drone delivery is still a local experiment. Drone delivery has been talked about for years, but it still feels rare for many communities. Wing already works with companies such as Walmart and DoorDash, and it has expanded service in several metro areas. Still, the business has to clear several hurdles. The weather can disrupt flights. Regulations can limit how drones operate. Restaurants have to train staff. Customers also need to live in the right delivery zone. Then there is the money. A drone can look amazing in a promo video. The tougher question is whether each delivery makes financial sense when the system runs every day. Papa Johns and Wing are testing drone-friendly packaging that could help future pizza deliveries take flight. (Wing) What this means to you. If you live near the test area, this could be a fun way to try a faster food delivery option. It may also give you a preview of where takeout is heading. However, drone delivery will probably roll out in small steps. At least at first. Customers need to live in the right delivery zone, order through the right app and choose items the drone system can carry safely. The bigger shift could come later. If Wing's system connects directly with the Papa Johns app, customers may eventually see drone delivery as one more option at checkout. That would make the experience feel much more normal than opening a separate drone app just to order lunch. For customers, the biggest benefits could be speed and convenience. A drone can avoid traffic, parking issues and some of the delays that hit traditional delivery during peak hours. At the same time, there are practical questions. People may wonder about noise, safety, privacy and whether drones belong over its neighborhoods. Those concerns will no doubt grow as more restaurants join in. Take my quiz: How safe is your online security? Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you'll get a personalized breakdown of what you're doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: CyberGuy.com Kurt's key takeaways. Papa Johns flying sandwiches instead of pizza feels a little backwards at first. After all, it is a pizza chain. But once you think about a hot pie bouncing around under a drone, the sandwich-first approach starts to make sense. The company gets to test the tech, customers get a faster delivery option and the pizza stays with the regular delivery crew until the drone setup can handle a hot pie without turning it into a cheesy mess. If drone delivery becomes common, would you be excited to get dinner dropped from the sky, or would all those buzzing drones over your neighborhood drive you crazy? Let Americascountry know by writing to Americascountry at CyberGuy.com * Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. * For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com - trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily. * Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurt's free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.