Uber Plans on Operating the World’s First Drone Food Delivery Service by 2021
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
“We need flying burgers,” said Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive at the ridesharing company’s flying taxi conference in May. Unfortunately, this isn’t in reference to anything supernatural. However, like some other delivery service pioneers and tech companies (think Amazon) have been moving toward, Khosrowshahi’s comment was about creating what will be the world’s first fully functioning food delivery service that will operate via drones by 2021.
The subject was brought back to the conversation when the Wall Street Journal spotted an Uber job posting for someone with “flight standards and training” on Linkedin. However, the listing was removed shortly after WSJ reached out to Uber, to which the company replied that the posting did “not fully reflect our program, which is still in its very early days.”
Since its launch in 2014, UberEats has brought the ridesharing company a significant surplus in profit with its IPO valuing the delivery service at around $20 billion. So, logically speaking, expansion on this sector of Uber makes sense as a next step.
So, what steps does UberEats have to take between now and 2021 to be a drone-operated food delivery service? Well, the Federal Aviation Administration will have to establish regulations for drone management in the airspace. The company will also have to find (or invent) a drone that can actually carry out food deliveries. Also, as the now-removed listing implies, Uber will need someone to take the lead on “development of standards, procedures, and training while reducing operational risk for all UberExpress flight operations.”
So, until 2021 or later, those “flying burgers” of the future will just have to remain in our strangest fever dreams.
For an idea of the best credit cards to use to maximize your dining purchases, check out this guide.
Featured image by Justin Sullivan / Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.