Samsung to use Manna drones to deliver Galaxy devices in global-first

Samsung Electronics has entered into a partnership deal with Manna Drone Delivery where Irish customers will receive the latest range of Galaxy devices by way of drones. These devices include the S21 Ultra, the Galaxy Buds Pro, the Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy Watch 3. Globally, this is the first time that Samsung will be engaging in drone delivery.

It will facilitate an end-to-end contactless experience for Samsung customers from their initial online order through its Irish eStore, right through to delivery. The service will first be made available to customers based in Oranmore in Co Galway with Samsung and Manna keen to expand this service nationwide in the future.

Manna uses custom-developed aerospace grade drones to deliver products directly to customer's homes. Their drones fly at an altitude of 50-80 metres and a speed of over 60kph. Eamonn Grant, head of online for Samsung Ireland, said the company is always looking for ways to bring meaningful innovation to its customers

“To be able to deliver our products to our customers within three minutes of leaving the dispatch centre is a brilliant example of innovation in motion,” Grant said.

“In the current environment, there is no better time to provide a contactless alternative to “click and collect” and we are really thrilled to be partnering Manna to achieve this,” he added.

Alan Hicks, CTO of Manna, said this deal with Samsung marks the first of its kind in the world. “We recognise that the potential for the application of drone delivery is enormous,” Hicks said, adding that the company was very excited to be embarking on this next chapter with Samsung.

Manna has also been working with Tesco and local businesses to deliver grocery, hot food, books and pharmacy items, to people in the Oranmore area.