Manna and Wolt Launch Winter Drone Delivery Tests in Finland

In a significant development for extreme weather drone operations, European drone delivery leader Manna Aero has partnered with technology company Wolt to launch winter drone delivery testing in Finland. The pilot program, commencing January 2025 in Espoo’s Niittykumpu district, aims to validate drone delivery capabilities in challenging Nordic winter conditions.

This initiative marks Manna’s first venture into cold weather operations, building on their extensive experience of over 250,000 successful deliveries across Ireland und die Vereinigte Staaten. The company’s EASA-certified delivery drones will operate at altitudes between 197-230 feet, traveling at speeds up to 50 mph to facilitate rapid food and goods delivery.

The drones utilize a unique delivery mechanism, descending to approximately 49 feet above the delivery location before lowering packages via a tether system. This approach maintains safe separation from ground obstacles while ensuring reliable package handoff, particularly crucial in winter conditions where ground visibility may be compromised.

Beyond conventional delivery metrics, this pilot program addresses several critical technical challenges unique to cold weather drone operations. These include battery performance in low temperatures, airframe operation in potential icing conditions, and maintaining reliable communications in adverse weather.

From a regulatory perspective, the program benefits from Manna’s existing EASA certification, though winter operations may require additional safety protocols. The company emphasizes that initial flights will focus on technical validation rather than commercial service, allowing for thorough safety assessment and operational refinement.

The environmental impact data is particularly noteworthy, with Manna reporting an 85% reduction in carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional vehicle deliveries. This efficiency gain becomes especially relevant in urban environments like Espoo, where winter conditions often exacerbate traffic congestion and associated emissions.

“Finland’s diverse winters provide an excellent testing environment to demonstrate that drones can be a reliable solution here in the north,” explains Antti Kosonen, Head of Product Development at Wolt.

This sentiment reflects the industry’s broader push toward all-weather drone delivery capabilities, essential for commercial viability in regions with challenging climates.

The program’s success could have significant implications for the drone delivery industry, potentially establishing new benchmarks for cold weather operations and expanding the viable operational envelope for commercial drone services. However, the true test will lie in maintaining the company’s impressive three-minute delivery average and 86 NPS score under these demanding conditions.

For the broader Drohnen-Industrie, this pilot represents a crucial step in validating year-round drone delivery capabilities in diverse climate conditions, potentially opening new markets for autonomous delivery services while addressing critical technical and operational challenges that have historically limited drone operations in extreme weather environments.

Photos courtesy of Wolt / Manna