DoorDash Launches New Drone Delivery Service

DoorDash is set to roll out an exciting new drone delivery initiative called DoorDash Air. The leading food delivery app in the U.S. has secured approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, paving the way for drone deliveries in the near future.

The company has obtained a Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA, allowing it to transport small packages via drone. Other notable companies that have received this certification include Wing, Zipline, and Amazon.

Previously, DoorDash collaborated with Wing on various pilot programs in locations such as Dallas-Fort Worth, Virginia, and Australia. Now, DoorDash plans to deploy its own drones, specifically engineered for food delivery. These drones will be designed and built within the company’s DoorDash Labs division, which is home to its robotics and AI teams responsible for creating the Dot sidewalk delivery robots.

“We’re crafting an aircraft tailored to address the gaps we see in local commerce, complementing the short- and long-range designs our partners are developing,” the company stated. “Our drone is also proudly designed and manufactured in America, with most components sourced domestically.” (It’s worth noting that the majority of drones are typically produced in China.)

Additionally, DoorDash will establish all the necessary ground infrastructure to facilitate the handoff of deliveries from restaurants to drones. As demonstrated in other drone delivery trials, a complex network of structures and equipment is required on the ground to enable drones to pick up their payloads before heading out. This includes developing flight plans, managing airspace, and coordinating drop-off logistics to track the drones during their flights. DoorDash is committed to building this infrastructure in-house.

“The aircraft is what everyone sees,” the company explained. “The more challenging aspect is the infrastructure and integration on the ground, which is our advantage. We focus on solving complex real-world problems for local businesses, from real-time inventory management to universal handoff systems for drive-throughs, rooftops, or merchant back doors. We are creating a complete end-to-end system.”

DoorDash believes that drone delivery could address the challenges of midrange deliveries, which often take longer due to the difficulty in finding couriers. The company reports that over 20 percent of its orders involve distances of three to five miles, but these orders can take nearly 25 percent longer than shorter deliveries, primarily because locating a courier for these mid-range trips takes more time.

“Routing mid-range deliveries to drones allows Dashers to concentrate on the orders they prefer: shorter deliveries that can be completed quickly, staying close to a high concentration of merchants for optimal routing, and maximizing their earning potential by getting to their next order faster,” the company noted.

DoorDash has not disclosed which markets it will target for its initial launch, but it plans to share more details in the coming months.