Authored by Bill Pan via The Epoch Times,
Uber is investing in and partnering with drone-delivery startup Zipline as it bets on growing demand for ultra-fast air delivery of takeout and groceries.
Lucid, Nuro, and Uber unveil a robotaxi during Nvidia Live at CES 2026 ahead of the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Jan. 5, 2026. Patrick T. Fallon / AFP via Getty ImagesZipline drones will begin making deliveries through the Uber Eats platform in Dallas and Houston by the end of this year, the companies announced Monday.
The service will initially launch in markets where Zipline already operates, with the companies ultimately aiming to expand to "dozens of U.S. cities."
The companies aim to reach 1 million Uber Eats deliveries per day using Zipline drones by the end of 2029.
With Zipline's drones, Uber expects orders to be delivered within five to 10 minutes.
"Our goal is for millions of people to be able to order lunch, dinner, snacks and more through the Uber Eats app and have them delivered by Zipline in minutes," the companies said in a statement.
Uber is also investing an undisclosed amount in Zipline.
Uber Expands Drone Delivery Network
The deal marks Uber's biggest commitment to drone delivery yet. It is also the first time the ride-hailing giant has set a long-term delivery target for the technology.
Uber first tested drone deliveries in 2019 through its aviation divis
