Uber has struck a deal to partner with Zipline for drone deliveries in 2029, aiming for one million daily flights.

The partnership comes as Uber invests in Zipline and expands into drone delivery markets, starting in Dallas-Fort Worth before spreading across dozens of cities. Zipline, already operational in countries like Rwanda and Ghana since 2016, is a veteran in this space.

Uber claims its hybrid network of human couriers, sidewalk robots, and drones will deliver orders minutes after they're placed, making it the world’s largest such delivery system. But competition is heating up: rivals DoorDash have also launched their own air delivery services, with regulators paving the way.

The market opportunity is significant, with estimates suggesting a $7.7 billion drone delivery industry by 2031. As tech companies race to claim a slice of this pie, the skies may soon be dotted with whirling drones delivering everything from groceries to medical supplies.