It's no surprise to see a drone flying in a public square. However, when it comes to indoor operations—especially for completing real tasks rather than just testing—it's still quite rare. Junyan Woon is one of the few who believes drones can thrive indoors. While he may not be deeply embedded in the tech scene, he spent seven years as a naval officer in Singapore before venturing into cutting-edge technology, specifically working with drones on ocean-going vessels. This experience eventually led him down the path of entrepreneurship.
In 2011, while dining at a local restaurant, Woon and his friends experienced poor service due to a shortage of staff. This was a growing issue in Singapore, as tightening foreign labor policies made it harder to find workers. Although the unemployment rate remained low, Singaporeans became more selective about their jobs. Serving customers, especially in a high-pressure environment, wasn't seen as a satisfying career choice anymore.
Woon began to wonder: "Why not use unmanned vehicles in restaurants?" It was this idea that inspired him to leave the Navy in 2013 and start Infinium Robotics, a company focused on developing indoor drone solutions. By partnering with local eateries, they introduced the Infinium-Serve UAV system, which delivers wine and other items. The system is set to launch in five restaurants later this year.
The drone operates primarily indoors, where it transports food from the kitchen to a transfer station, then hands it off to a waiter. While direct delivery is possible, many restaurants prefer human interaction. Initially, Woon considered ground robots, but customer feedback was mixed—these machines often disrupted the dining experience and raised safety concerns. Drones, mounted on the ceiling, proved to be a better fit.
Infinium’s drones are equipped with special features, such as a metal mesh around the propellers to prevent injuries, and a stabilizing system that corrects tilt automatically. They also include sensors like sonar, infrared, and stereo vision to avoid collisions. But what truly sets them apart is their advanced flight control technology and motion coordination algorithms for multiple drones. These innovations allow precise navigation and spacing between units.
However, challenges remain. GPS doesn’t work well indoors, so the team is developing an indoor positioning system using cameras to track the drones. Noise is another concern—drones can be loud, which isn’t ideal for restaurants. Their new Dynamic Noise Reduction technology aims to address this, though it’s still in early development.
Despite these hurdles, the potential for indoor drones is vast. They could deliver coffee in offices, assist in warehouses, or even support healthcare settings. While some experts, like Peter Kopitz of aCommerce, remain skeptical about the cost-effectiveness, Woon sees a global opportunity. With rising labor costs and low unemployment in developed countries, drones could become a valuable tool for businesses.
Infinium has already secured over $750,000 in funding and is seeking $11 million more to scale production. They’re also navigating regulatory challenges by focusing on environments where drone use is more flexible. As the market evolves, Woon believes the future of service industries may lie in smart, efficient, and reliable robotic assistance.
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