DoorDash unveils drone for planned Northern California pilot

DoorDash has unveiled a six-propeller aircraft for its DoorDash Air service and plans to test deliveries with restaurant partners in Northern California. The company has not specified the communities where the pilot will operate or an exact date when customers can begin placing drone-delivery orders. The aircraft uses a winch to pick up and lower packages. DoorDash says its design is part of an end-to-end system that includes packaging, restaurant handoffs and software to determine which orders are suitable for air delivery. The company introduced the aircraft at its Dash Forward 2026 event on September 30. DoorDash plans to work with Chipotle and Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen in the pilot. Momo N Curry was also named as a partner in the company’s announcement. The planned test follows DoorDash’s launch of DoorDash Air in July, after the company received a Part 135 air-carrier certificate from the Federal Aviation Administration. DoorDash says its Autonomous Delivery Platform will help select how orders are delivered, weighing factors such as weather, flight range, order weight, preparation time and ground traffic.