Delivery is moving beyond the familiar rider and vehicle model, with sidewalk robots and drones taking on short trips in cities across the UK and United States. On October 5, 2026, Coco Robots and Deliveroo announced an exclusive strategic partnership to expand autonomous sidewalk deliveries across the UK, while Wing and Walmart outlined plans for drone operations in Denver and Seattle in 2027.
The UK rollout will begin in London’s Canary Wharf in October 2026. Consumers in Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf, will first be able to order from Patty&Bun, Signorelli, and Beam. The service area will later add Ole & Steen, Royal China, and Din Tai Fung, giving local customers more choices as the partnership expands.
Deliveroo starts with Canary Wharf
Coco Robots will also launch in Milton Keynes, Leeds, Stockton on Tees, and Nottingham. Smoke and Pepper will be among the merchants available in Milton Keynes, while the wider rollout will bring Coco’s sidewalk robots to multiple UK locations.
The launch includes local investment in UK operational infrastructure and will create new skilled jobs. Local leaders in the East Midlands and Tees Valley have welcomed the plans as a step toward bringing new technology and investment to their regions.
“The region is determined to be a leader in the adoption of new technologies and that she looks forward to working with Coco Robotics to explore the potential of autonomous delivery for businesses, residents and visitors,” East Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said, “Coco’s selection of the region for one of its first UK launches is a vote of confidence and will bring new technology, investment and opportunities for local people.”
Canary Wharf will serve as the partnership’s first UK launch location. Jacinta Rowsell said, “Canary Wharf is the first UK launch location for the partnership.” Miki Kuusi, CEO at Deliveroo and Head of DoorDash International, said London is where Deliveroo was born and called it a fitting place for the company’s first UK autonomous delivery service.
Deliveroo’s Autonomous Delivery Strategy centers on a multi-modal last-mile delivery approach. Most orders will still be fulfilled by Deliveroo’s rider network, with Coco’s electric robots handling short distances. That model places robots alongside riders rather than replacing the entire delivery system.
Drones expand the delivery map
Wing and Walmart plan to start drone delivery operations in Denver and Seattle in 2027. Their plan covers delivery by air from more than 270 Walmart stores, building on drone services already available in Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas–Fort Worth, Houston, and Orlando.
The companies aim to expand to fourteen other destinations, including Miami, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The drones can travel at up to 60 mph and carry payloads weighing as much as five pounds.
Eligible customers will see drone delivery as an option on the Walmart app or website, and consumers can also order items through Wing’s app. The available service depends on whether a customer qualifies for drone delivery.
DoorDash is pursuing a separate drone plan. On September 30, 2026, the food delivery platform announced DoorDash Air, which will first be available in northern California. Chipotle and Popeyes are among the first restaurant partners.
DoorDash’s drone has six propellers and is designed to fit the communities where it operates. About 80 percent of restaurant orders available for delivery are small and light enough for drone delivery, giving the program a large pool of possible orders.
Initial tests produced delivery times from a restaurant to a consumer’s door in under five minutes on average. DoorDash’s delivery management system considers ground traffic, weather, and flight times when deciding which orders are suitable for air delivery.
More delivery options from DoorDash
DoorDash is also adding delivery tools beyond drones. Users in the United States will be able to text their deliveries through the Messages app on Apple devices, and users can join the waitlist for the feature.
Businesses will be able to connect DoorDash to internal apps and AI agents for ordering team lunches and restocking items. The company has also partnered with retailers including Macy’s, Anthropologie, The North Face, Vans, and Timberland.
DoorDash offers a Dasher Returns service with a flat $8 fee. Together, these services show the company building delivery options for meals, retail purchases, workplace orders, and returns alongside its drone program.
The UK and US plans use different machines for different distances. Coco’s electric robots will handle short sidewalk trips, while Wing and DoorDash drones will carry small orders through the air. Most Deliveroo orders will still travel with riders, but autonomous systems are becoming another part of the delivery mix.
Based on
