DoorDash has launched DoorDash Air, an in-house drone delivery program created by DoorDash Labs following the receipt of FAA Part 135 air carrier certification. This initiative integrates drones into existing marketplace infrastructure to serve local commerce more effectively, particularly for mid-range deliveries that can be slower when handled solely by human couriers. By automating these specific routes, the company aims to optimize courier efficiency and provide faster service for time-sensitive items like medicine or hot meals.
* DoorDash is only the eighth drone operator in the country to earn this certification.
* In pilot programs, certain locations saw order volumes increase by approximately 30%.
* The aircraft are designed and built primarily within the United States.
* During 2025 pilots, deliveries averaged roughly 25 minutes per trip.
* DoorDash is only the eighth drone operator in the country to earn this certification.
* In pilot programs, certain locations saw order volumes increase by approximately 30%.
* The aircraft are designed and built primarily within the United States.
* During 2025 pilots, deliveries averaged roughly 25 minutes per trip.
Wajeeh Khan writes that DoorDash shares rose following FAA approval of its Part 135 air carrier certification. This allows the launch of DoorDash Air, an in-house drone delivery service intended to reduce logistical costs and improve profit margins by automating mid-distance deliveries.
- One of eight operators authorized for commercial U.S. drone flight.
- Employs internally built hardware from DoorDash Labs instead of third-party licensing.
- Wall Street maintains a "Strong Buy" consensus with an average target near $245.
- One of eight operators authorized for commercial U.S. drone flight.
- Employs internally built hardware from DoorDash Labs instead of third-party licensing.
- Wall Street maintains a "Strong Buy" consensus with an average target near $245.
Kirsten Korosec writes that DoorDash is launching a new drone delivery service called DoorDash Air following receipt of FAA Part 135 air carrier certification. Developed by the company's robotics and autonomy team, this initiative aims to integrate custom-built aircraft into an existing network alongside human couriers and sidewalk robots through its "Autonomous Delivery Platform."
- Initial operations will likely consist of limited line-of-sight pilot programs.
- The service intends to eventually seek certification for Beyond Visual Line of Sight technology.
- DoorDash is maintaining current drone partnerships with Wing and Flytrex.
- Sidewalk bots named Dot are already operating in various cities across Arizona and California.
- Initial operations will likely consist of limited line-of-sight pilot programs.
- The service intends to eventually seek certification for Beyond Visual Line of Sight technology.
- DoorDash is maintaining current drone partnerships with Wing and Flytrex.
- Sidewalk bots named Dot are already operating in various cities across Arizona and California.
Friend or Foe is an open-source Android app that identifies aircraft and drones in real time using augmented reality. It combines ADS-B data, FAA Remote ID, WiFi analysis, and visual detection to overlay labels on the camera view, providing information about flying objects overhead. The project was built using AI tools like Claude, Grok, Codex, and Gemini, showcasing the potential of AI-assisted development. It offers features like AR viewfinders, multi-source detection, smart classification, and a drone reference guide, all functioning without requiring accounts or API keys.
John McNelly developed ADSBee, an open source ADS-B receiver based around an RP2040, to decode aircraft monitoring signals. It supports both 1090 MHz ADS-B and 978 MHz UAT protocols and is available in various form factors.
DJI has updated its Neo drone to include vertical video and faster tracking speeds, now capable of keeping up with cyclists.
The $199 Neo drone now includes two highly requested features: vertical video and improved tracking speed. The vertical video mode is optimized for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, but is limited to 1080p resolution. The drone's tracking speed has been significantly increased, allowing it to keep up with cyclists at speeds up to 20 miles per hour (32 kph). Users need to update both their DJI Fly app and the drone's firmware to access these new features.
The $199 Neo drone now includes two highly requested features: vertical video and improved tracking speed. The vertical video mode is optimized for social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, but is limited to 1080p resolution. The drone's tracking speed has been significantly increased, allowing it to keep up with cyclists at speeds up to 20 miles per hour (32 kph). Users need to update both their DJI Fly app and the drone's firmware to access these new features.
