DoorDash on Wednesday unveiled its DoorDash Air programme after obtaining certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration to operate commercial drone deliveries, marking a major milestone in the company’s autonomous delivery strategy.
The company said the newly unveiled DoorDash Air programme is expected to strengthen its autonomous delivery ambitions as it expands beyond traditional courier-based logistics across the United States.
The initiative represents DoorDash’s latest investment in autonomous technology, with the company aiming to improve delivery efficiency, reduce reliance on human couriers and strengthen its nationwide logistics network.
The newly unveiled drone delivery programme was developed by DoorDash Labs, the company’s robotics and autonomy division, and is expected to be integrated into the DoorDash app in the future, according to a TechCrunch report.
DoorDash also said it is building its own drone aircraft and supporting infrastructure for the newly unveiled service, although it has not announced a timeline for full commercial deployment.
With the unveiling of DoorDash Air, the company joins a growing group of commercial drone delivery operators, including Amazon’s Prime Air, Alphabet-owned Wing and Zipline, which have expanded autonomous delivery operations in recent years.
The company said it will continue working with existing drone delivery partners, Wing and Flytrex, even as it expands its in-house drone capabilities.
DoorDash already operates a multi-modal delivery network that combines human couriers, its Dot sidewalk robots and autonomous delivery partners, with drones serving as an additional option for fulfilling customer deliveries.
Goodness Anunobi
