- Strategic partnership targeting one million drone deliveries daily by the end of 2029, with first deliveries later this year.
- Drone delivery on Uber Eats will launch across existing Zipline markets and target expansion into dozens of US cities.
- Uber to make a strategic investment in Zipline, reinforcing a long-term partnership to accelerate the scale of drone delivery.
SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Zipline, a leader in drone delivery, and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) today announced a strategic partnership, which aims to scale drone delivery across the United States.
PHOTO CREDIT -UBER
Uber and Zipline are partnering to bring drone delivery to millions of Americans on Uber EatsThe first deployments will begin later this year, where Uber Eats customers will have the option to receive their orders in minutes via Zipline’s autonomous drone delivery.
Uber will also make a strategic investment in Zipline and, together, the companies aim to reach one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029.
Zipline operates on 4 continents and makes a delivery every 20 seconds. The company spent 10 years building an international logistics network that serves more than 5,000 hospitals, saves more than 12,000 lives each year, and has flown more than 135 million autonomous miles. Now the company is bringing this technology and service to the U.S. to deliver anything people need in 5-10 mins. Zipline has made more than 2.7 million deliveries of more than 20 million items, reducing traffic, carbon emissions and saving people time with each delivery.
Uber is building the world’s most flexible hybrid delivery network, seamlessly integrating couriers, sidewalk robots, and drones to match every delivery with the best mode of transportation. This partnership combines the superpowers of both companies – offering Zipline’s quiet, ultra-fast, precise delivery to millions of Uber Eats customers and hundreds of thousands of small businesses. Together, Uber and Zipline will accelerate the adoption of drone delivery at scale, bringing fast and affordable autonomous deliveries to millions more consumers.
“Zipline has built incredible technology, and Uber connects many millions of people with local merchants every day,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber. “Together, we’re shaping the future of delivery by creating a faster, more sustainable way for people to get what they need. We look forward to bringing this technology to more communities and making autonomous delivery part of everyday life.”
“Teleportation isn’t science fiction anymore. It’s becoming part of everyday life,” said Keller Cliffton, Co-Founder of Zipline. “Every great transportation revolution has changed where people live, how businesses operate, and how economies grow. Together with Uber, we’re taking the next step toward building a world where getting what you need is as fast and effortless as sending a text, no matter where you are.”
Drones have the potential to transform delivery by cutting delivery times, costs, and emissions compared with traditional methods, making it possible for everything from dinner to daily essentials to arrive at your doorstep in a matter of minutes.
Source: Uber Technologies, Inc.
