Montville, New Jersey — A historic first for both New Jersey and the Northeastern United States will take place in Montville this month, as an autonomous drone pizza delivery is scheduled to be executed live as part of xPizza Day at The Columbia Inn.
The demonstration, organized for April 20, 2026, in partnership with autonomous delivery company DEXA, is expected to mark the first live autonomous pizza delivery conducted under real operating conditions in New Jersey and across the Northeast.
The delivery will take place within an active drone delivery network currently operating in the region, distinguishing it from prior demonstrations that relied on pre-programmed routes or controlled test environments.
Local First With National Implications
The event is part of xPizza Day, an event created by the NJ Pizza Alliance and dedicated to pizza robotics, pizza AI and pizza autonomous delivery.
The NJ Pizza Alliance, founded in 2024, was created to connect and support pizzerias across North, Central and South Jersey, serving as a unified platform for operators, partners and the broader pizza community. Its mission is to strengthen the pizza industry through collaboration, storytelling and events that keep pizza at the center of New Jersey culture, business and community.
While the event brings together leading technology companies and pizza operators, the drone delivery stands out as a defining moment, bringing real-world autonomous food delivery into public view.
“This is something that’s never been done here before,” organizers say. “Not a simulation, not a test run, this is a live delivery happening in real time, right here in Montville.”
How Pizza Delivery Will Work
The autonomous drone, operated by DEXA, will complete a live pizza delivery using its existing network infrastructure. The system is designed to operate without a driver, using advanced navigation and delivery technology to transport food autonomously to its destination.
The demonstration is intended to show how autonomous delivery could be integrated into everyday restaurant operations in the near future.
Mayor to Issue Official Proclamation
Following the successful completion of the delivery, Montville Mayor Frank Cooney will host a press conference and issue an official proclamation, recognizing the milestone and its significance to both the township and the broader pizza industry.
The proclamation will formally acknowledge Montville as the site of this historic first in autonomous pizza delivery.
Open to Public
Originally planned as a private, industry-focused event, xPizza Day has been opened to the public, offering both operators and consumers the opportunity to witness the future of pizza firsthand.
Attendees will be able to observe the drone delivery, along with live demonstrations of robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous technologies shaping the pizza industry.
Event Details
Event: xPizza Day
Date: April 20, 2026
Time: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: The Columbia Inn, Montville, New Jersey
Admission: Free
Access: Open to the public (Industry RSVP required)
About xPizza Day
xPizza Day is the world’s first event focused on pizza robotics, pizza AI, and pizza autonomous delivery. The event is designed to provide direct exposure to emerging technologies and demonstrate how they are being applied across the pizza industry today.
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