[In the picture] Uber Eats delivers hamburgers using drones

It’s not science fiction—it’s part of everyday life: By the end of 2029, Uber Eats aims to make one million drone deliveries per day in the U.S. To achieve this, the delivery company is entering into a strategic partnership with drone manufacturer Zipline.

Lower costs, fewer emissions

Zipline, the market leader in drone delivery, and Uber Technologies have announced a strategic partnership aimed at scaling up drone delivery across the United States. As part of this, Uber is also making a strategic investment in Zipline. Later this year, the first Uber Eats customers will be able to receive their orders within minutes via Zipline’s autonomous drone delivery service. By the end of 2029, both partners aim to achieve one million drone deliveries per day.

Uber says it is building “the world’s most flexible hybrid delivery network,” seamlessly integrating couriers, sidewalk robots, and drones to match each delivery with the best mode of transportation. Drones have the potential to radically transform delivery by reducing delivery times, costs, and emissions. “This is no longer science fiction. It’s becoming part of everyday life,” says Keller Cliffton, co-founder of Zipline. The company operates on four continents and makes a delivery every 20 seconds, including to hospitals.