Uber and Zipline partner to launch autonomous drone deliveries for Uber Eats customers across the US, targeting 1 million daily deliveries.
Uber Technologies and drone delivery company Zipline have announced a partnership to bring autonomous drone deliveries to Uber Eats customers across the United States, with the first deliveries expected to begin later this year.
The partnership also includes a strategic investment by Uber in Zipline, although the companies did not disclose the financial terms of the investment.
The companies said they aim to scale the service to as many as 1 million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029.
The service will initially launch in US markets where Zipline already operates before expanding to dozens of additional cities across the country.
Uber declined to comment on the financial details of its investment in Zipline.
Zipline, which operates across four continents, has completed about 2 million deliveries to date. The company was most recently valued at $7.6 billion after raising $800 million earlier this year.
The partnership mirrors Uber’s deal with drone delivery company Flytrex last year, which also included an investment in the company.
Zipline has been expanding its US operations through partnerships with major retailers and restaurants, including Walmart and more than a dozen restaurant brands such as Panera, Chipotle and Wendy’s.
The latest agreement underscores Uber’s push to expand automated delivery options while Zipline seeks to scale its drone technology across the US market.