● Covered by 2 sources · 2 reportsMedium impact2 neutral
Uber Eats Partners with Zipline for Drone Deliveries, Targets One Million Daily by 2029
Key points
- Uber is investing in and partnering with Zipline.
- Drone deliveries on Uber Eats begin by end of 2024.
- Goal: one million daily drone deliveries by 2029.
- Initial deliveries in Zipline's existing markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth.
- Expansion planned for dozens of U.S. cities.
Uber Eats Expands with Drone Delivery
Uber has announced a partnership and strategic investment in drone delivery company Zipline. This collaboration will integrate Zipline's drones into the Uber Eats delivery network, with the first deliveries expected to commence by the end of 2024.
The long-term objective of this partnership is to achieve one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029. This move is part of Uber's strategy to grow its Uber Eats platform and expand its quick commerce capabilities.
Rollout and Expansion Plans
Initial drone deliveries will begin in Zipline’s existing markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth, where Zipline has been operating since 2025. The companies plan to expand these services into dozens of additional U.S. cities following the initial rollout.
Zipline has a history of drone operations, having made two million deliveries to date. The company also operates internationally in countries such as Rwanda, Ghana, Japan, Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Kenya, where it began delivering medical supplies in 2016.
Uber's Broader Strategy
This partnership aligns with Uber's broader strategy of collaborating with multiple autonomous technology providers. Uber has previously divested its own aerial ridesharing service, Uber Elevate, and its autonomous vehicle group, Uber Autonomous Technologies Group.
Instead, Uber has focused on investing in and partnering with external companies to integrate their technologies onto its platform. This approach has included committing over $10 billion to various autonomous vehicle providers and forming similar drone delivery deals, such as one with Flytrex last year.
Market Context
The announcement comes as government regulations for drone operations are easing, allowing for broader and more cost-effective drone deliveries. Uber's competitors in the delivery market are also increasing their drone delivery efforts, making this a strategic move for Uber Eats.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Uber is partnering with Zipline to launch drone food deliveries later this year, with an aim to achieve one million daily drone deliveries by 2029. This collaboration and strategic investment position Uber to expand its delivery capabilities amidst easing government regulations and increasing competition in the drone delivery market.
Uber is partnering with and investing in drone delivery company Zipline to integrate its drones into the Uber Eats platform, with initial deliveries starting by the end of 2024. This collaboration aims to achieve one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029, expanding Uber's delivery capabilities and growth in quick commerce.