British cider producer Orchard Pig has revealed that it is working towards the launch of a cider delivery drone, which could prove once and for all that pigs do fly.
The brand has said that it is currently “experimenting with its own unique version” of the burgeoning technology, incorporating a Gloucester Old Spot pig into the drone build to help fulfil shipments of cider. After having already embarked on a couple of test flights, the Somerset-based cider maker has its “fingers crossed” that it will be able to offer a cider delivery service by drone next summer.
The aim of the project was to prove that anything was possible and offer consumers an innovative, fun and typically British way of getting products delivered, the company said.
Drones are one of the industry’s emerging technologies.
Orchard Pig founder Andrew Quinland said: “Orchard Pig has gone from strength to strength over the past three years and some people said it was impossible to make a hobby into a business. Well, we made the impossible possible and now have used the delivery service to make pigs fly – because why not? By creating a delivery service we’re proud of, we want to show them that Orchard Pig is capable of doing anything the big companies do, without taking it too seriously.
“We come up against the big breweries all the time and it’s a constant David and Goliath struggle – each week we’re faced with new challenges. However, drones have surprisingly been our business’ biggest challenge to date but we’ve overcome bigger ones, so we’re confident we’ll get there.”
The novel innovation continues a long line of drone-related developments, with retail giants such as Amazon and Walmart having previously unveiled their own offerings. The technology is one of the logistics industry’s most significant emerging trends, and in December FoodBev reported on a Dutch concept that offered coffee delivery by drone.
Orchard Pig claimed that strict flight laws, weight restrictions and difficulty in finding adequate open space were holding the project back, and suggested that the UK risked lagging behind the US in terms of drone invention if things didn’t change.
But the brand, known for ciders including Truffler and Reveller, reiterated that it was optimistic about incorporating drones into its distribution network some time in the future.
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