Delivering the Future LASTMILE SOLUTIONS:
Drones The average ecommerce package weighs between one and three pounds, Red Stag Ful llment estimates. That makes them ideal cargo for unmanned aerial vehicles, also referred to as UAVs or drones. Some big players are getting into this space. In September 2025, Uber Technologies announced it was partnering with Flytrex to begin pilot deliveries for Uber Eats. To date, Flytrex has completed more than 200,000 deliveries across the United States. The combined companies will be able to create an integrated, end-to- end delivery experience, according to the announcement. Matternet develops commercial drone delivery systems that can carry cargo of
drone takes off from there, with a pilot remotely monitoring it. When the drone lands, it releases the package wherever the customer indicated, such as a porch or backyard. In 2018, Matternet joined the FAA’s Integration Pilot Program, which provided accelerated regulatory clearance for some unmanned aircraft operators. Matternet was approved to y over people and conducted the rst commercial drone delivery in the United States. In 2022, Matternet was awarded FAA Type Certi cate and Production Certi cate for unmanned aircraft. Type Certi cation refers to approval of the aircraft’s design and component parts and shows the aircraft design complies
with applicable airworthiness and noise standards. Recent regulatory action might help accelerate the market for drone deliveries. The FAA is proposing a rule covering Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations, including for package delivery, although an effective date has yet to be announced. Among other requirements, the operations covered by this proposal would occur at or below 400 feet above ground level, and from pre-designated and access-controlled locations. Operators would need FAA approval for the area where they intend to y, and would identify the approximate number of daily operations, as well as takeoff, landing and loading areas Even as drone technology and legislation move forward, challenges remain. A 2023 McKinsey report found that drone deliveries were more costly than deliveries made by electric vehicles. However, once drone operators can manage about 20 drones simultaneously, a package delivery would cost between about $1.50 to $2, or roughly similar to a van delivering 100 packages per trip, according to the report. For drone deliveries to truly scale, it will be necessary to consider them “from the perspective of the sovereignty of our airspace,” says Tom Walker, founder and chief executive of cer with DroneUp, which develops technology to enable autonomous aviation at scale. Currently, no mechanism veri es the identity of drone operators or ties them to a speci c aircraft. “How do we know if it’s a good drone or a bad drone? We don’t,” Walker says. As a result, it’s not feasible to authorize large numbers of drone ights. In addition, facilities within about three miles of critical infrastructure, such as power plants and hospitals, need to be safeguarded from malicious actors. Together, these cover about three- quarters of the country, he adds. such as need to actors. quarters Walker’s company is developing a system to, among other capabilities, verify a drone’s identity, tie it to a ight plan, and track it in real time. These capabilities will be key to scaling drone Walker’s system verify plan, and capabilities a package about a van according For will be the perspective airspace,” chief executive which autonomous no mechanism drone aircraft. drone says. As authorize In addition, three
A strategic partnership with Flytrex marks Uber’s first investment in drone delivery and will enable consumers to receive orders in minutes while reducing congestion and emissions.
Alepa Starship delivery robots provide autonomous, local grocery delivery in the Helsinki metropolitan area. They use AI and sensors to navigate sidewalks and cross streets.
up to 4.4 pounds, over distances of up to 12.4 miles. In October 2025, Matternet partnered with Dave’s Hot Chicken to launch drone deliveries in Northridge, aLos Angeles suburb. “It’s an exciting time,” says Andreas Raptopoulos, founder and chief executive of cer. He predicts that the number of drone deliveries per day will jump from several thousand currently to between three and ve million by 2030. To start a drone delivery, a restaurant employee packs the food into a Matternet container and then places it within a space-age-looking landing station, which is typically located behind the restaurant. The food then space-age-looking typically The of up to Matternet Chicken to Northridge, Andreas that the day will currently to by 2030.
114 Inbound Logistics • January 2026
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