In a major move that mirrors Walmart’s recent delivery upgrade, Uber Eats rival DoorDash has launched its own futuristic drone service to get orders to more people even faster.
Teaming up with drone tech company Flytrex, DoorDash will now offer ultra-fast deliveries to over 100,000 residents across Charlotte, North Carolina, and parts of Virginia. This means around 30,000 households can start skipping traffic jams altogether, with drones dropping off meals straight from the sky.
While drone delivery isn’t exactly new, residents in Little Elm and Frisco, Texas have been testing it for a while, this latest rollout from DoorDash marks a serious upgrade. The drones themselves can now carry up to 6.6 pounds of goods, with plans to increase that to 8.6 pounds in the near future. And it’s not just about size, Flytrex has also enhanced drone traffic control systems, letting more drones fly safely at once, much like air traffic control for planes. That means quicker, safer, and more efficient deliveries without the typical traffic drama.
DoorDash Labs’ head of product, Harrison Shih, is already thinking ahead. He says the next phase of drone delivery is all about pushing convenience. In his words, “Larger payloads and longer operating hours allow us to serve more customers, more efficiently, than ever before.” Shih added that this expansion is key to making drone delivery a reliable, everyday part of local commerce.
This announcement from DoorDash comes hot on the heels of Walmart’s bold drone delivery expansion. Just weeks ago, the retail giant revealed it’s bringing drone drop-offs to five major cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando, and Tampa. Walmart’s drone program, which has already delivered over 150,000 orders since launching in 2021, promises delivery in 30 minutes or less for everything from groceries and health products to household staples.
Walmart called this rollout a milestone in “tech-enabled retail” and said the move brings the future of shopping to people’s doorsteps, literally. The company emphasized that the expansion proves its commitment to “reshaping the future of fast and flexible retail.”
While Walmart may have made the first big splash in the drone delivery race, DoorDash is showing it’s not about to get left behind. This new partnership with Flytrex makes one thing clear: fast, sky-based delivery is no longer a far-off idea. It’s happening now, and it’s spreading.
The rise of drone delivery is reshaping how we get our essentials, and it’s not just about speed. The technology allows more environmentally friendly and traffic-free options, opening doors for retailers and restaurants to rethink how they serve their customers. With Walmart and DoorDash now both flying high in the drone game, don’t be surprised if more brands follow suit.
Leo Cruz brings sharp insights into the world of politics, offering balanced reporting and analysis on the latest policies, elections, and global political events. With years of experience covering campaigns and interviewing world leaders, Leo ensures readers are always informed and engaged.
