Amazon’s Prime Air drone delivery service is taking off in nearly 500 US cities

Good news! When can I have a fresh fried chicken or fresh baked pizza from Costco fly directly to my mouth? 😊

"Amazon announced Wednesday a major expansion of Amazon Prime Air, its drone delivery service, with plans to reach nearly 500 U.S. cities by the end of 2026. This marks a significant milestone as it expands the service’s footprint by roughly 6x its current reach. 

Prime Air will soon launch in 11 locations: Tolleson, Arizona; Ruskin, Florida; Kansas City, Kansas; Papillion, Nebraska; Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Hazel Park and Pontiac, Michigan; and Richmond, San Antonio, Richardson, and Waco, Texas.

The return to Tolleson is particularly notable given a drone accident that occurred there last year. ..."

Amazon’s Prime Air is taking off in nearly 500 US cities | TechCrunch

First direct drone delivery of blood to the scene of traumatic injuries in Florida

Good, life saving news! This could be a breakthrough! "In traumas with hemorrhaging [severe blood loss], every minute matters."

"Tampa General Hospital is preparing to launch what it says will be the first drone system in the United States that delivers blood directly to the scene of traumatic injuries, allowing transfusions to begin on the spot. Average delivery times are expected to be under three minutes across the initial 70-square-mile service area."

"The technology is scheduled to come online in October 2026, subject to approval by the Hillsborough County Commission. The Board of County Commissioners is scheduled to convene on the matter on Sept. 2. ..."

Doomslayer: Progress Roundup - by Malcolm Cochran

Drones Bring Whole Blood to Trauma Scenes

Tampa General Hospital Prepares to Deploy First-in-the-Nation Whole Blood Drone Delivery Program in Partnership With Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and Archer First Response Systems (original news release)

DoorDash is building its own drone delivery business

Good news! Competition is good, more competition is better! The US needs to catch up with China regarding home delivery!

When can I get my first fresh fried chicken flying directly to my mouth?

"DoorDash is building a drone delivery business, including its own aircraft, as part of an effort developed by its robotics and autonomy team, which will eventually operate within the company’s delivery app.

The company unveiled the new business, called DoorDash Air, after receiving a Part 135 air carrier certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. The certification allows the company to legally operate a commercial drone delivery service in the United States. ..."

DoorDash is building its own drone delivery business | TechCrunch

Rwanda and Zipline agreed to build the world’s first nationwide on-demand drone delivery network for healthcare

 Good news!

"The Rwandan government has agreed to expand its partnership with Zipline to build the world’s first nationwide drone delivery network for healthcare. The system will extend beyond rural areas into cities like Kigali, enabling on-demand delivery of blood, vaccines, and medicines across the entire country." (Source)

Zipline snaps up another $200M to fuel its drone delivery expansion

Good news!

"... The additional funds ... has pushed Zipline’s recent Series H round to $800 million. ... that valued the drone delivery startup at $7.6 billion. ...

Zipline has developed a drone delivery ecosystem that includes the aircraft, launch and landing systems, as well as logistics software. The company, founded in 2014, got its start in Africa, where it used its autonomous drones to deliver blood in Rwanda. Zipline has expanded its reach and what its drones are used for in the years since. Today, its drones deliver food, retail, agriculture, and health products in five African countries, several cities in the United States, and Japan.

The funds are being used to accelerate Zipline’s expansion to at least four U.S. states this year. The company has announced Houston, Phoenix, and Seattle as new markets.

Zipline has seen considerable growth in a home delivery service that launched last year in the United States ..."

Zipline snaps up another $200M to fuel its drone delivery expansion | TechCrunch

Amazon adds 1-hour and 3-hour delivery options in 2000 US cities

Good news! How many drones will it take? Busy skies ahead! 😊

"The e-commerce giant is making more than 90,000 items available via this new delivery system. If an item can be delivered to a user within one or three hours, they'll see a label saying so next to that item on the Amazon app."

Techcrunch

Walmart Expands Drone Delivery with Wing to 150 More Stores across the US

Good news! Maybe I will become a drone watcher? Just kidding!

My nearest Walmart store is so close I can easily walk to it within a few minutes!

"... But the future is already here if you live in Dallas — where some Walmart customers order delivery by Wing three times a week.

By the end of 2026, some 40 million Americans, or about 12 percent of the U.S. population, will be able to take advantage of the convenience, the companies claim.”"

Walmart Expands Drone Delivery with Wing to 150 More Stores - Human Progress

Zipline received $600 million new funding and is expanding to the United States

Good news! Out of Africa to the US!

"Zipline, the autonomous drone-delivery and logistics startup, has been around for more than a decade, starting in Rwanda delivering blood. Its progress has been slow and steady, notching wins in other African countries and expanding to the United States. That trajectory sped up after it launched a new drone platform in 2025 called P2 that focuses on home delivery of food and other goods. 

Now, fueled with $600 million in new funding, its expansion ambitions have grown. The company, which is now valued at $7.6 billion, is bringing its service to Houston and Phoenix and plans to expand to at least four more U.S. states in 2026."

RIP, Tesla Autopilot, and the NTSB investigates Waymo