Uber Eats has finally launched drone deliveries, aiming for nationwide expansion and a plan to achieve 1 million deliveries per day by 2029.



Uber and drone delivery company Zipline have announced a partnership to launch a delivery service using Zipline's autonomous drones for Uber Eats in the United States by 2026. The two companies aim to expand the service to dozens of cities and achieve 1 million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029.

Uber Technologies, Inc. - Uber and Zipline Partner to Bring Drone Delivery to Millions of Americans
https://investor.uber.com/news-events/news/press-release-details/2026/Uber-and-Zipline-Partner-to-Bring-Drone-Delivery-to-Millions-of-Americans/default.aspx

Uber and Zipline target one million Uber Eats drone deliveries per day
https://www.axios.com/2026/08/17/uber-zipline-eats-drone-delivery

Zipline is a company that provides drone-based logistics services and already operates on four continents. To date, it has autonomously flown more than 135 million miles, equivalent to over 217 million kilometers, delivered more than 20 million items in over 2.7 million deliveries, and provides services to more than 5,000 hospitals and medical facilities around the world.

What exactly is 'Zipline,' the drone delivery service? - GIGAZINE



Then, on August 17, 2026, Uber and Zipline announced a strategic partnership to expand drone delivery on a large scale in the United States. As part of the partnership, Uber will make a strategic investment in Zipline and plans to incorporate Zipline's drones as a delivery method for Uber Eats.



According to Uber, the initial service rollout will begin sometime in 2026. Uber Eats users will be able to receive their orders via Zipline's autonomous drones. The initial service will be available in Houston and Dallas, Texas, and will then expand to dozens of other cities across the United States, including areas where Zipline already operates.

Zipline's delivery system in the United States aims to deliver goods within 5 to 10 minutes of ordering. Uber and Zipline believe that drones can avoid road congestion, potentially reducing delivery times, costs, and emissions compared to traditional delivery methods.



A key feature of this partnership is the direct integration of Zipline's delivery service into Uber Eats. According to overseas media outlet Axios, previously, users needed to download the Zipline app to use Zipline's drone delivery service, but this partnership with Uber Eats marks the first instance of Zipline's system being fully integrated into a retailer's app.

Uber is developing a 'hybrid delivery network' that combines human delivery personnel with delivery robots and drones that travel on sidewalks, selecting the most appropriate delivery method for each order. This partnership with Zipline is part of that effort, aiming to promote the widespread adoption of drone delivery by connecting Uber Eats users and partner restaurants with Zipline's delivery network.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi commented, 'Zipline has built incredible technology, and Uber connects millions of people with local businesses every day,' adding that the combination of the two companies will provide a faster and more sustainable delivery method.



Zipline co-founder Keller Clifton also indicated in a post on X that the company plans to expand its autonomous delivery service, including for Uber Eats, to 'more than 1 million deliveries per day.'



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