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Matthew Sweeny
Social Security Specialist
Matthew Sweeny is the CEO and co-founder of Flirtey, a pioneering drone delivery company that has since rebranded as SkyDrop.14 Originally from Australia, Sweeny was the first in his family to attend college, earning a degree in international relations and philosophy from the University of Sydney.1
Sweeny's interest in unmanned aerial vehicles began while studying economics on a scholarship in China, where he developed the concept of using drones for faster, more cost-effective deliveries.1 He built the first prototype delivery drones in his dorm room.2
In 2013, Sweeny co-founded Flirtey with Ahmed Haider and Tom Bass.2 The company relocated to Reno, Nevada in 2014, partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno.2 Under Sweeny's leadership, Flirtey achieved several industry firsts:
- Conducted the first FAA-approved drone delivery in the United States in 201515
- Performed the first fully autonomous drone delivery to a home5
- Launched the first commercial drone delivery service5
Flirtey worked with various organizations including NASA, Johns Hopkins University of Medicine, 7-Eleven, and Domino's.15 The company's achievements were recognized by the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, which accepted a Flirtey delivery drone into its collection.5
Sweeny has been included on CNBC's Disruptor 50 list in 2018.2 However, as of February 26, 2024, Sweeny announced on LinkedIn that the company was shutting down.3
Currently, Sweeny is listed as the CEO of SkyDrop (formerly Flirtey) on his LinkedIn profile, based in Bristol, Tennessee.4
Highlights
SkyDrop grounds its fleet
SkyDrop Drone Delivery: From Proof of Concept to Commercial Reality
Eight years ago, we conducted the first FAA-approved drone delivery in American history. Today, we’re conducting the first CAA-approved store-to-door drone delivery in New Zealand.
Proof of Concept: The Kitty Hawk Moment
SkyDrop celebrated the eight-year anniversary of the July 17, 2015 Kitty Hawk Moment, the first drone delivery on US soil, which was conducted by SkyDrop (formerly Flirtey).
The delivery drone that made this first delivery has now gone on display in the "Thomas W. Haas We All Fly" exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. The museum also displays the 1903 Wright Flyer that made the first official flight of a powered heavier-than-air flying machine.
Commercial Reality: Store to Door Drone Delivery
On July 17, 2023 SkyDrop celebrated this anniversary in style, by hosting Kiwi journalists who filmed SkyDrop conducting the first CAA-approved store-to-door drone delivery operation in New Zealand.
SkyDrop, in partnership with Domino’s, is excited to expand its drone delivery trials in Huntly, New Zealand. Under this approval, SkyDrop and Domino’s are expanding drone delivery trial parameters – giving even more customers the opportunity to have their pizza safely delivered by drone.
Watch the first drone delivery in Raahui Pookeka (Huntly) to the Waahi Paa Marae, who named a SkyDrop drone Te Kaahu (The Hawk):
https://lnkd.in/gv_725mW
Future Vision: Speedier, Cheaper and Greener
Years from now drones will be delivering billions of packages around the world.
If we can do it here, we can do it anywhere.
