Uber Revives Drone Delivery Service for Faster Food Drop-offs
▼ Summary
– Uber will test drone deliveries for Uber Eats in select U.S. markets by year-end through a partnership with Flytrex.
– The partnership includes a small, non-material investment by Uber in the Israeli startup Flytrex.
– This move aligns with Uber’s strategy of re-engaging with external tech partners, such as its work with Waymo on autonomous vehicles and plans for electric air taxis.
– Uber previously trialed drone deliveries in 2019 but halted due to regulatory constraints and later sold its aviation division.
– The regulatory environment for drone deliveries is now loosening, with companies like Flytrex and Zipline advancing aerial delivery services.
Uber is set to relaunch its drone delivery initiative through Uber Eats, partnering with Israeli tech firm Flytrex to pilot food drop-offs in select U.S. markets before year’s end. This move signals a renewed focus on aerial logistics as part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance delivery speed and expand service capabilities.
The collaboration includes a minor equity investment in Flytrex, though Uber has clarified that the financial commitment is not substantial. This renewed interest in drone technology marks a shift from Uber’s earlier in-house development efforts, reflecting a growing trend of forming strategic alliances with specialized firms.
Uber previously experimented with drone deliveries in 2019, but regulatory constraints and operational challenges led the company to shelve the project. Its Elevate aviation division was eventually sold to Joby, an air taxi manufacturer. However, evolving regulations and advancements in drone technology have created new opportunities for commercial aerial delivery services.
This revival aligns with Uber’s recent partnerships in other cutting-edge transportation sectors, including autonomous vehicles with companies like Waymo and plans to introduce electric air taxis in the near future. Competitors are also making strides in this space, Flytrex, for instance, has already completed more than 200,000 aerial deliveries in the U.S. and also works with DoorDash.
The broader industry is witnessing a gradual normalization of drone-based services, with companies like Zipline pushing to make airborne delivery a routine aspect of modern commerce. Uber’s re-entry into the drone delivery arena suggests a confident step toward integrating faster, more innovative solutions into its platform.
(Source: TechCrunch)
