DoorDash aims to deliver your food order using a drone in the future.

      DoorDash Air will specifically focus on deliveries within a range of three to five miles.

      Getting food delivered via drone is becoming more of a reality. DoorDash has recently obtained FAA approval to launch its own drone delivery service named DoorDash Air.

      DoorDash Air is officially recognized as a certified drone operator in the US, delivering actual orders rather than just demonstrations. “People come here because they want to address real issues and see their efforts materialize in real life within days, instead of being stuck in R&D limbo watching a demo that never becomes operational…”— Andy Fang (@andyfang) July 29, 2026.

      What is DoorDash developing?

      DoorDash has obtained Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA, which permits the company to legally operate commercial drones. It is the eighth company in the US to achieve this, joining other well-known names such as Alphabet’s Wing, Zipline, and Amazon.

      However, don't expect to see drones flying around your neighborhood immediately. DoorDash indicates that commercial deliveries will begin in the fall of 2026. Initially, these will likely be small-scale pilot projects where the drone remains within the line of sight of the operator.

      In contrast to its previous drone initiatives, DoorDash is now creating and manufacturing its aircraft through DoorDash Labs, the same in-house robotics group that developed Dot, the sidewalk delivery robot already operating in parts of Arizona and California.

      The company emphasizes that its drone is designed and manufactured in the USA, with most components sourced domestically, which is significant as a large portion of the drone industry depends on China for production.

      So why create its own drones when DoorDash already has partnerships?

      DoorDash will continue with its current drone collaborations with Wing and Flytrex, which have successfully completed tens of thousands of deliveries and most recently expanded into the Atlanta metropolitan area.

      Instead, the company positions DoorDash Air as an additional option alongside its partners, asserting its intention to have more operators overall. Its Autonomous Delivery Platform will manage decision-making, selecting between human Dashers, Dot, drone partners, or DoorDash’s own drones based on factors like speed, cost, and distance.

      How will DoorDash Air's drones be beneficial?

      The primary goal appears to be enhancing mid-range deliveries between three and five miles, which currently take almost 25% longer than shorter trips due to the time it takes to locate an available driver. By assigning these deliveries to drones, human Dashers can concentrate on the quicker runs they typically prefer.

      DoorDash has not yet disclosed which cities will receive drones first, but additional information is expected soon. Your first drone delivery likely remains a few months away, but the process is officially underway.

      New York City’s food carts are transitioning to electric power as part of a clean air initiative.

      Street food is receiving an upgrade, and the public will appreciate the change.

      For many years, New York City’s streets have been characterized by the continuous noise of gasoline generators powering countless food carts. This noise has become so habitual that most people hardly notice it. Now, the city aims to determine if rechargeable batteries can fulfill the same role without the associated pollution, noise, and fuel costs.

      According to Techxplore, New York has initiated a six-month pilot program that provides 10 licensed street food vendors with battery-powered energy systems, replacing the gasoline generators typically used for cooking equipment, refrigerators, and ventilation systems. This trial aims to lower air pollution, diminish noise levels, and enhance working conditions for vendors who spend extensive hours near the generators.

      Quick Take

      Airbnb aims to provide an all-in-one travel experience, not just for accommodations.

      Airbnb began as a platform for finding spare bedrooms, but twelve years later, it is evolving into the only travel app required.

      With the announcement of the 2026 Summer Release update today, users can not only reserve a bedroom or a house but can also order groceries, arrange airport transfers, car rentals, boutique hotels, utilize AI planning tools, and access FIFA World Cup experiences, all within the Airbnb app.