Uber has partnered with drone delivery company Zipline to roll out autonomous deliveries through Uber Eats across the US.

The companies said they aim to scale the service to one million drone deliveries a day by the end of 2029.

As part of the agreement, Uber will also make a strategic investment in Zipline to support the long-term expansion of drone deliveries.

Zipline currently operates on four continents and says it makes a delivery every 20 seconds. Originally focused on healthcare logistics, the company now serves more than 5,000 hospitals and health facilities worldwide. It has completed more than 2.7 million deliveries, transporting over 20 million items and flying more than 135 million autonomous miles.

The company is now expanding its technology into consumer deliveries in the US, with drones designed to transport orders ranging from takeaway meals to everyday essentials in between five and 10 minutes.

Uber said the partnership forms part of its strategy to build a hybrid delivery network that combines human couriers with autonomous technologies, including drones and pavement robots.

Dara Khosrowshahi, chief executive of Uber, said: "Zipline has built incredible technology, and Uber connects many millions of people with local merchants every day.

"Together, we're shaping the future of delivery by creating a faster, more sustainable way for people to get what they need. We look forward to bringing this technology to more communities and making autonomous delivery part of everyday life."

Drone delivery has become an increasingly competitive area for retailers and delivery platforms, with businesses exploring autonomous fulfilment to reduce costs, shorten delivery times, and improve sustainability. Uber said integrating Zipline's drones into Uber Eats would give merchants another fulfilment option while enabling customers to receive eligible orders within minutes.

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