Uber testing drones for food delivery

Uber announced Wednesday that it has begun testing drone delivery for its popular Uber Eats service.

AFP reported that company executives previewed the plan at the company’s annual conference, the Uber Elevate Summit, where they revealed that the product was tested earlier this year in San Diego with participating McDonald’s restaurants.

{mosads}According to Uber, the plan allows for drones to pick up packaged deliveries and carry them to a designated drop-off location, where an Uber driver will complete the delivery personally.

“Our goal is to expand Uber Eats drone delivery so we can provide more options to more people at the tap of a button,” said the company’s head of flight operations, Luke Fischer, according to AFP.

“We believe that Uber is uniquely positioned to take on this challenge as we’re able to leverage the Uber Eats network of restaurant partners and delivery partners as well as the aviation experience and technology of Uber Elevate,” he added.

Uber also revealed future plans for drone deliveries to land on parked Uber cars operated by drivers, as well as plans for autonomous drone aircraft, according to AFP.

The company says that additional testing involving more restaurants will take place later this year, the outlet reported.

Uber announced its initial public offering and began trading on the New York Stock Exchange last month, estimating a market value for the company of more than $82 billion.

Initially offering just a ride-hailing app, the company has since expanded into other areas such as aerial travel and deliveries.