You Can Now Get Coffee by Drone, and the Internet Isn’t Sure How To Feel

A video showcasing an innovative coffee delivery experienced by a tourist couple in Shenzhen, China, has gone viral, and they spoke to Newsweek about their experience. Meanwhile, social media users aren’t sure how to feel.
The video shared by Dylan and Adriana on their TikTok account @2passports1dream—which has garnered 2.1 million views since it was posted on September 30—showcases the futuristic technology available in the tech hub of China.
The couple, who are full-time travelers and did not share their last names or ages, explained to Newsweek that they stumbled upon the drone coffee delivery service while cycling in Shenzhen Bay Park.
“The video was taken recently at Shenzhen Bay Park in Shenzhen. We were biking through the park when we came across the drone coffee delivery machine randomly and decided to give it a try,” they said.
Dylan, who is from Wales in the United Kingdom, and Adriana, who is from Sweden walked viewers through the process in the video.
They scanned a QR code at the drone station which directed them to the Meituan app, a popular food delivery service in China. After placing their order for two coffees, Adriana tracked the approaching drone via an app on her mobile phone.
The video captures the drone descending from the sky and delivering the coffee to a dispenser machine. The easy and efficient process impressed the couple. “Our coffee arrived safely. It’s placed in a box that is then folded up and collected to be used again, which is quite efficient.”
The drone coffee delivery experience in Shenzhen provides a glimpse into the future of technology and convenience. As drone delivery services continue to evolve, they offer exciting possibilities and challenges for the logistics and delivery industries.
A May 2024 study in the ACM Journal on Autonomous Transportation Systems highlighted the transformative potential of drone technology in various sectors.
“The rising popularity of drones significantly impacts package delivery services, offering both unique opportunities and challenges. Use cases, ranging from critical medical deliveries to addressing COVID-19 pandemic needs, underscore the transformative potential of drone technology.”
The study emphasized the need for reliable communication infrastructure and noted concerns about the technology, stating “despite the transformative potential, concerns about privacy, security, safety, and risk management in drone delivery are acknowledged.”
The couple from the viral TikTok clip told Newsweek: “We’re not sure if drone deliveries are available elsewhere in China, we only experienced it in Shenzhen. We saw another drone spot in another park also in Shenzhen but with different food and drink options.”
Ordering through the Meituan app required a Chinese mainland phone number, which they obtained from China Mobile, the telecommunications company, the couple mentioned.
The couple said the coffee delivery cost them 68 Yuan (approximately $9.50) and took about half an hour to arrive.
A caption shared with the video reads “We didn’t even know this was a thing till we arrived in Shenzhen. The future is here. Would you use this?”
The unique delivery method sparked a mix of excitement, curiosity and concern among TikTok viewers.
PizzaAndCoke1 said, “That’s so cool! Now I want to go to China just to order a coffee with drone delivery.”
Some users raised concerns about the environmental impact, with several noting the excessive packaging.
Katherine Velan Beki said, “That’s very cool but so much packaging.”
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