DoorDash unveiled its new six-propeller delivery drone at the Dash Forward 2026 event. The company developed the service, branded as DoorDash Air, through its R&D division, DoorDash Labs. This team previously created the sidewalk delivery robot Dot and the Autonomous Delivery Platform software.
The Autonomous Delivery Platform manages delivery coordination by analyzing weather conditions, flight range, and ground traffic. DoorDash designed the system based on 13 years of historical order data, focusing on typical package weights and delivery distances rather than starting with hardware specifications.
The company secured Part 135 air carrier certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration in July, enabling legal commercial drone operations. DoorDash currently lists over 500,000 restaurants on its marketplace platform.
Initial pilot deliveries are scheduled to begin in Northern California. Confirmed partners for the launch include Chipotle, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and Momo N Curry. The drone utilizes a winch system to handle package pickup and drop-off operations.
