Uber Technologies is preparing to test drone deliveries in the United States through a new partnership with Israeli startup Flytrex, marking its first direct investment in autonomous aerial logistics.
The trials, expected to begin before the end of 2025, will focus on Uber Eats orders in selected markets. The initiative combines Uber’s large-scale platform and merchant network with Flytrex’s autonomous drone technology, which is already certified for Beyond Visual Line of Sight flights by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
Flytrex has carried out more than 200,000 suburban deliveries in recent years, building operational experience that Uber intends to leverage. Its drones are built for short routes and lighter payloads, typically up to three kilograms, allowing for rapid deployment in residential areas.
For Uber, the move represents a step toward building what it describes as a multimodal delivery system. The company already integrates cars, bicycles, couriers and sidewalk robots. Adding drones is intended to speed up service, reduce congestion on urban roads and cut carbon emissions.
The decision also places Uber in a competitive field where Amazon, Walmart and DoorDash are testing similar services. Unlike earlier experiments, however, the current regulatory environment has started to evolve, with the FAA granting approvals for broader drone operations, improving the likelihood of scaling commercial use.
Industry analysts say the success of the pilot program could determine how quickly autonomous aerial delivery becomes a mainstream option in the company’s network. If effective, drones may become a standard feature for smaller, high-frequency orders such as food and household essentials.
Source: Uber Investor