Uber is partnering with drone-delivery firm Zipline and targets a million drone deliveries a day

Uber Partners with Drone Delivery Firm Zipline to Target One Million Daily Deliveries by 2029

August 17, 2026 - 2:57 pm

Credit: Uber Technologies, Inc.

Uber, the ride-hailing giant, has announced on Monday a strategic partnership with autonomous drone-delivery firm Zipline (explore this topic) to deliver Uber Eats orders across the United States. This collaboration is accompanied by an undisclosed investment in Zipline.

The move represents a significant shift for Uber as it pivots from hospital deliveries to suburban lunch runs, offering a new way to deliver food without the need for drivers or parking spaces.

The rollout will commence later this year in Zipline's existing American markets, including Houston, Phoenix, and parts of Texas and Ohio, subsequently expanding to numerous additional cities. Both companies aim high, aiming for one million drone deliveries daily by the end of 2029, totaling over 365 million deliveries annually.

Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber's CEO, envisioned a "faster, more sustainable way for people to get what they need," while Zipline's co-founder Keller Cliffton proclaimed that "teleportation isn’t science fiction anymore."

Zipline's drone system involves flying to a delivery address, hovering overhead, and lowering a small robot on a tether. This robot steers itself down to the doorstep or driveway to drop off packages before returning upwards. The company guarantees deliveries within five to ten minutes, boasting an impressive track record: over 135 million autonomous miles and 2.5 million deliveries to date.

Uber's investment in Zipline, valued at $7.6 billion after raising $800 million earlier this year, leverages Uber Eats' vast customer base and merchant network. However, the successful implementation of drone delivery faces challenges: a history of delayed timelines, rival competitors like Alphabet's Wing and Manna, regulatory hurdles, and public acceptance concerns regarding noise and privacy.

Zipline emphasizes the quiet operation and precision of its drone, acknowledging potential social obstacles to widespread adoption. Uber, known for outsourcing automated projects instead of developing them in-house (as seen with robotaxis), aligns with this strategy. The partnership offers a promising vision but encounters familiar cautionary notes.