‘More than air taxis for the rich’: Race to develop drones, for futuristic Brisbane Olympics

Aussie researchers are developing futuristic drones ahead of the Brisbane Olympics that could deliver medals by air and drop food to spectators. And that’s not all that’s on the horizon.

Melbourne researchers are part of a new frontier of drone development set to make the Brisbane Olympics futuristic with medals potentially delivered by air, food dropped to spectators and car parts transported in the sky for roadside assistance.

It comes as Swinburne’s Aerostructures Innovation Research Hub (AIR Hub) also teams up with Australia Post and GAP Drone with a view to making mail and parcel deliveries via drone to regional and remote parts of the country.

AIR Hub director Dr Adriano Di Pietro said Australia was ramping up its drone development ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics — with many companies using the date as a benchmark to ensure futuristic technology was widely used throughout the event.

An artist impression of the athletes village at Northshore, Hamilton, for the Brisbane 2032 games.

Wing, Australia's first on-demand drone delivery service with Door Dash. Picture: Jason Edwards

The 2032 Olympics were Australia’s opportunity to position the nation as a leader in advanced air mobility (AAM). Dr Di Pietro said.

“Currently people imagine drones as cameras but this is a game changer for those coming to Brisbane 2032, and beyond in Australia,” he said.

“These new developments could see the aircraft delivering food to spectators, or even providing emergency roadside assistance with speedy equipment dispatches.

“This will be more than air taxis for the rich. This will be characterised by a new frontier of drone development that includes zero emissions or sustainable propulsion systems like electric or hydrogen electric takeoff and landing aircrafts.”

A Swoop Aero drone can carry up to 4kg and travel at speeds of more than 120km/h. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Dr Di Pietro said airport agnostic services were possible, as were uncrewed or autonomous aircraft and self-piloted aircraft.

“By deploying this drone technology in the transport ecosystem, we can transform how people and goods move during one of the world’s biggest events, setting a global benchmark for future cities,” Dr Di Pietro said.

In an Australian-first collaboration, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) this month signed a collaboration agreement with Toyota Mobility Foundation and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to look into how best to use emerging transport technologies — with the project likely to influence future development at Northshore Brisbane, Swinburne’s AIR Hub said.

Wellcamp Airport had also been announced as the trial site for the next generation of autonomous air taxis to ferry passengers across southeast Queensland, it said.

The developments come just after Boeing subsidiary Wisk Aero last month said its aim was to have self-flying air taxis operating in Brisbane by the Olympics.

A Skyportz concept image of a riverfront vertiport along the Brisbane River. Picture: Supplied

Dr Di Pietro said Australia was set to benefit from the development of futuristic drones more than other nations, given its vastness.

“The integration of advanced air mobility in Australia isn’t just about technology — it’s about rethinking how we can create cleaner, more efficient, and more connected urban and regional environments,” he said.

“The development of advanced air mobility technologies in Australia represents a leap forward not just for our cities, but for improved connectivity for our regions and remote communities.”

“As we approach the Brisbane 2032 Olympics, we have the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that Australia is at the forefront of the next era in aviation.”