Question

Mr Melvin Yong Yik Chye: To ask the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) what are the lessons learnt by the Sentosa Development Corporation on its drone food-delivery pilot that took place from 22 March 2022 to 9 April 2022; and (b) whether more drone-food delivery trials are being planned.

Written Answer by Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong

1. From 22 March to 9 April 2022, Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) teamed up with ST Engineering and foodpanda under the Sentosa x Enterprise Scheme to pilot drone delivery from Sentosa’s food and beverage establishments to St John’s Island. The pilot aimed to study the feasibility and operational requirements of drone food deliveries. Such drone deliveries could provide more food options for guests on the Southern Islands.

2. The pilot successfully demonstrated the technical feasibility of a drone food delivery service delivering packaged food to St John’s Island in a timely and reliable manner. SDC is studying the commercial case for a larger scale deployment of the delivery service, taking into account consumer demand, manpower requirements, and affordability.