Uber Integrates Zipline Drones into Eats Delivery Network

Uber has announced a strategic partnership and investment in Zipline, a drone delivery startup, to integrate autonomous aerial vehicles into its Uber Eats network. The collaboration aims to enable up to 1 million daily drone deliveries by 2029. Initial drone-based orders will launch in Zipline’s existing service regions by the end of 2024, with plans to expand to dozens of U.S. cities.

Uber views “fast commerce” as the next evolution of its delivery service. According to CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, this segment could become even larger than the traditional food delivery market. Zipline’s drones can fulfill orders in just 5–10 minutes, aligning with the trend of instant customer service.

Uber’s autonomous technology strategy relies on partnerships with developers of innovative solutions. The company has previously collaborated with Israeli startup Flytrex and invested heavily in self-driving car projects. However, not all partnerships succeed: its relationship with Waymo, a leader in autonomous transport, may conclude after contracts expire in 2028.

Zipline, headquartered in San Francisco, recently raised $800 million in a funding round, increasing its valuation to $7.6 billion. Co-founder Keller Clifton stated that the partnership with Uber is a step toward a world where obtaining essential goods is as quick and simple as sending a message.