DoorDash launches drone delivery business after FAA certification

DoorDash has launched its own drone delivery business, DoorDash Air, after securing a U.S. Federal Aviation Administration Part 135 air carrier certification, enabling commercial drone operations. Developed by DoorDash Labs, its robotics and autonomy unit, the program aims to integrate autonomous delivery into its app. The company is building its own aircraft and infrastructure, though a timeline for commercial deployment has not been provided. DoorDash joins competitors like Amazon's Prime Air, Alphabet-owned Wing, and Zipline in the expanding drone delivery field. Despite developing its own capabilities, DoorDash will continue its existing partnerships with Wing and Flytrex. The company views drones and sidewalk bots as part of a broader delivery network, with its Autonomous Delivery Platform determining the optimal delivery method in real-time.