Uber is investing in drone delivery company Zipline as part of a partnership that aims to complete one million drone deliveries per day by the end of 2029. Zipline drones are expected to begin fulfilling Uber Eats orders by the end of 2026, starting in markets where Zipline already operates before expanding into dozens of U.S. cities.
The companies announced the partnership on August 17 but did not disclose the size of Uber’s investment. Uber expects Zipline’s drones to complete some Uber Eats orders within five to 10 minutes.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi told The Wall Street Journal that the company sees faster delivery as a growth opportunity for Uber Eats. He said quick commerce is becoming a larger market for the company than food delivery was originally and could support further growth for Eats.
Uber Adds Another Drone Delivery Partner
The Zipline agreement adds another company to Uber’s network of autonomous delivery and transportation partners. Uber has increasingly worked with outside companies to provide autonomous technology while making their services available through its platform.
The company has committed more than $10 billion to dozens of autonomous vehicle providers, according to the source article. That approach followed Uber’s decision to sell internal programs including Uber Elevate, its aerial ridesharing division, and Uber Autonomous Technologies Group, which had been developing self-driving vehicles.
Uber had previously tested drone delivery while operating Uber Elevate. It returned to the concept in September 2025 through a partnership with Israeli startup Flytrex, which also included an investment.
Uber has used a similar partnership model for robotaxis and other autonomous vehicle services. However, its relationship with Waymo has become strained, and the companies are expected to separate after their contracts expire in 2028, while also taking different positions on autonomous vehicle regulation.
Zipline Expands Its U.S. Delivery Network
Zipline recently completed an extended Series H funding round totaling $800 million, bringing its valuation to $7.6 billion. The company said its service already operates in markets including Dallas and Houston, which are among the locations where the Uber partnership is expected to begin.
Zipline also published its own announcement of the Uber partnership, saying the companies plan to expand the service as Zipline enters additional U.S. markets.
Zipline co-founder Keller Cliffton said the companies want to make deliveries faster and easier regardless of location. He said the partnership is intended to make receiving goods as quick and simple as sending a text.
Featured image credits: Wikimedia Commons
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