Connect with us

Technology

DoorDash gets FAA approval for its own delivery drones

Published

on

DoorDash gets FAA approval for its own delivery drones

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Advertisement

Your next DoorDash order could arrive with a flight path instead of a driver. DoorDash has earned FAA Part 135 air carrier certification and launched DoorDash Air, its in-house drone delivery program. The company now has federal authorization to operate a commercial drone delivery service in the United States.

Yes, the app you use for burgers, groceries and late-night snacks is entering the airline business. However, this does not mean a DoorDash drone will hover over your driveway tomorrow. The company still needs added operational approvals. It also has not announced its first markets or a firm launch schedule for its custom aircraft.

CyberGuy Live: Missed “Sick of Spam?” Get the replay and checklist

Our free CyberGuy Live class, “Sick of Spam?”, has ended, but you can still watch the full replay and download our spam-stopping checklist. Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson walks you step by step through simple ways to reduce robocalls, spam texts, junk email and unwanted messages. You’ll also learn how to curb political texts, clean up your inbox and spot messages that could put your personal information at risk.

Get the free replay and checklist now at CyberGuyLive.com.

Advertisement

AIR TAXIS CUT HOUR-LONG COMMUTES TO MINUTES, RIDERS MAY BE SHOCKED BY THE PRICE

DoorDash Air plans to use company-built drones to deliver eligible food, medicine and everyday essentials. (DoorDash)

DoorDash becomes a certified air carrier

DoorDash announced the FAA certification on July 29, 2026. The company says it is the eighth drone operator to earn this type of federal air carrier certificate. The FAA uses Part 135 certification for companies that carry other people’s property for payment. For drones, it provides the regulatory path for commercial package deliveries beyond a pilot’s direct line of sight.

Getting certified requires a five-phase FAA review. The agency evaluates the operator’s aircraft, maintenance procedures and safety program. Even after earning the certificate, an operator still needs airspace authorization. It may also need exemptions or waivers for flights beyond visual line of sight. State rules and local land-use requirements can also affect where a delivery hub operates. So, DoorDash has cleared a major federal hurdle. Still, each real-world delivery network will require more planning and approval.

Why DoorDash wants to deliver orders by drone

Anyone who has watched a hot meal slowly travel across town can understand the appeal. DoorDash says more than 20% of its orders in 2025 traveled between three and five miles. Those orders took nearly 25% longer than shorter trips, according to the company.

Advertisement

DoorDash blames part of that delay on the challenge of matching a Dasher with a mid-range order. A driver may prefer several shorter deliveries near a busy restaurant area instead of one longer trip. A drone could take the longer order while a Dasher remains close to restaurants. As a result, the customer could get a faster delivery while the driver moves on to another nearby order.

DoorDash estimates that drone deliveries completed during 2025 took an average of about 25 minutes. The company also says some locations in its partner drone pilots saw order volume rise by roughly 30%. That increase continued during the nine weeks after the pilot began. Those are DoorDash’s figures, so performance could change by location, weather and the type of order. Still, they help explain why the company wants more control over the aircraft carrying its deliveries.

CHINESE DRONE MONOPOLY PUT ON NOTICE AMID CONCERNS OVER CCP SPYING: ‘STRATEGIC MISTAKE’

DoorDash will continue its partnerships with drone partners like Alphabet’s Wing as it designs its own aircraft. (DoorDash)

DoorDash Air will build its own delivery drones

That is the same robotics and autonomy group behind DoorDash’s Dot delivery robot.

Advertisement

DoorDash says its drone will be designed and built in the United States. The majority of its components will also come from the U.S., according to the company. DoorDash has not revealed the aircraft’s range, payload capacity or final design. A DoorDash spokesperson told CyberGuy that the company plans to share more details about those specifics this fall.

DoorDash drones will work alongside human Dashers

DoorDash says Dashers will continue handling the vast majority of its daily deliveries. That makes sense. A drone cannot walk into an apartment building or carry a large catering order upstairs. It also may struggle with bad weather or a location without a suitable drop zone.

Instead, DoorDash wants its Autonomous Delivery Platform to select the best method for each order. The platform can assign a Dasher. It can also choose an autonomous option such as Dot or a drone.

For example, a small order traveling four miles to a suburban house may fit a drone. A large grocery order going to a high-rise apartment will likely need a person. This approach follows a broader shift across the delivery industry. Uber Eats has also moved toward drone deliveries, while other companies continue testing robots and airborne delivery systems.

What the FAA certification does not guarantee

FAA certification gives DoorDash the legal foundation to operate an air carrier. It does not provide blanket permission to begin unlimited drone flights in every city. DoorDash has not announced its first DoorDash Air markets. The company also has not provided a detailed timeline for deliveries using its in-house aircraft.

Advertisement

In addition, longer autonomous routes may require FAA approval for beyond visual line of sight operations. Local zoning, environmental reviews and community concerns can also shape where hubs are built. Noise could become a major issue. The FAA notes that drone noise may bother a community even when it falls below the level of a significant environmental impact.

Therefore, early service will likely remain limited to carefully selected areas. Suburban neighborhoods with predictable routes and open drop-off spaces may prove easier than dense urban blocks.

JETBLUE FLIGHT REPORTS DRONE STRIKE DURING APPROACH TO NEW YORK AIRPORT: FAA

DoorDash says drones will handle select orders while human Dashers continue making most of the company’s deliveries. (DoorDash)

What this means to you

DoorDash drone delivery could shorten the wait for small, urgent orders. Cold medicine could arrive without waiting for a driver to cross town. A nurse finishing a long shift might get a hot meal faster. A forgotten phone charger could reach you before your battery runs out. However, availability will depend heavily on where you live. Your address may need to fall within an eligible drone delivery zone. The order must also meet the aircraft’s weight and size limits. DoorDash told CyberGuy that it is testing the aircraft to operate across a wider range of weather conditions and climates. The company said it will pause operations during extreme weather until conditions return to an operable level.

Advertisement

You should also look closely at the final cost. DoorDash has not said whether its new in-house DoorDash Air service will carry a separate fee or change how tipping works. The company also has not explained whether customers will choose between a DoorDash Air drone and a Dasher once the new service launches. DoorDash’s current partner-operated program does allow eligible customers to select drone delivery at checkout.

For now, think of DoorDash Air as an important step toward wider service rather than a nationwide launch. The federal certificate gives DoorDash the regulatory foundation to operate its own commercial drone delivery service. However, individual operations may still require airspace authorization and other FAA approvals. The next test will be whether DoorDash can make drone delivery reliable enough for an ordinary Tuesday night dinner. For more background on how companies are already testing airborne orders, check out how drones are changing food delivery.

Kurt’s key takeaways

DoorDash has spent years learning how to move orders through streets. Now it wants to control what happens in the sky. FAA certification gives DoorDash Air a serious start. The company has the app, the restaurant relationships and billions of past orders to study. It also knows where deliveries slow down. Still, building a drone is only one piece of the job. DoorDash must prove that its aircraft can operate safely and consistently. It must also keep food intact while avoiding noise problems and neighborhood resistance. Human Dashers are not disappearing. Instead, DoorDash wants drones and robots to handle specific trips that could be faster without a car.

Would you trust a DoorDash drone to lower dinner into your yard, or would the sound of delivery aircraft flying over your neighborhood ruin the convenience? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Advertisement

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

  • Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
  • For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
  • Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Advertisement

Technology

Fujifilm’s Instax Pal 2 is a tiny digital camera that may not disappoint

Published

on

Fujifilm’s Instax Pal 2 is a tiny digital camera that may not disappoint

The Instax Pal 2 will launch in the US later this month for $169.95, according to PetaPixel, and uses a ⅓.06-inch sensor paired with an f/2.2 28mm lens to capture images up to 10-megapixels in size. That’s a big step up over the Kodak Charmera’s 1.6-megapixel sensor. The Pal 2 has an optical viewfinder and a 1.3-inch LCD screen on top for framing shots and is equipped with autofocus capabilities including optional face detection plus adjustable ISO, shutter speed, and exposure compensation.

Atop the Instax Pal 2 you’ll find a shutter button, a joystick, and a functional lever similar to what old film cameras used to advance to the next exposure. The camera pairs with Fujifilm’s mobile app where you can select and download image effects to the Pal 2 or upload images to your phone for printing using a wireless Bluetooth connection or a slide-out USB-C port. The camera also features a flash, a tripod mount, a self-timer, and a rechargeable battery good for up to three hours of use, Fujifilm claims.

Continue Reading

Technology

Tesla Cybercab bars kids under 13 as scrutiny grows

Published

on

Tesla Cybercab bars kids under 13 as scrutiny grows

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Advertisement

Tesla’s Cybercab is finally carrying riders in Austin, Texas. And some of the details buried in the fine print may surprise you.

The gold two-seater has no steering wheel or pedals. Tesla says it uses cameras and AI to handle the driving, putting passengers entirely in the hands of its autonomous system.

Yet the Sept. 3 launch was unusually low-key for Tesla. The main presentation reportedly lasted about 15 minutes, and Elon Musk apparently did not speak. Then, on Sept. 4, federal safety regulators announced an investigation into how Tesla certified Cybercab for U.S. roads.

Tesla has spent years building toward this moment. Now that real riders are climbing inside, the little details suddenly become much more important. Here is what you should know before you step into a Cybercab.

ZOOX ROBOTAXI REDESIGN BRINGS BIG RIDER UPGRADES

Advertisement

Tesla’s Cybercab is rolling onto Austin streets as the company expands its robotaxi push, even as new rider rules and safety questions draw attention. (Aaron E. Martinez/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)

NEW! Join our upcoming CyberGuy LIVE class: Get Better Healthcare With AI

In this free live online class, Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson will show you five practical ways AI can help you take a more active role in your healthcare. You’ll learn how to organize your health history, remember important appointment details, understand complicated medical information, research prescriptions and prepare questions for your next doctor’s visit. No technical

experience is needed.

Register for free now at CyberGuyLive.com

Advertisement

 

Tesla Cybercab has a surprising age limit

If you planned to call a Cybercab for a family ride, check the passenger rules first. Tesla says children under 13 cannot ride in Cybercab “at this time.” Teens ages 13 through 17 can ride, although an adult must accompany them for the entire trip.

Interestingly, Tesla sets a different age limit for the Model Y vehicles in its Robotaxi service. Children ages 8 through 17 can ride in those vehicles with an adult. Guests under 8 cannot.

So, an 11-year-old could ride in a Tesla Model Y Robotaxi but could not take the same trip in a Cybercab. Tesla does not explain the reason for that difference in its current rider guidance. Then there is another detail parents may notice.

 

Cybercab has no LATCH child-seat anchors

Tesla confirms that Cybercab has no LATCH or ISOFIX child-restraint system. If a rider needs a booster seat, Tesla says it must use a seat belt to secure it.

That may sound odd considering Cybercab does not allow children under 13. However, some older children may still need a booster seat depending on their size and local requirements.

Advertisement

Tesla gives instructions for using one, but there are no LATCH anchors to attach it to. It is the kind of detail most of us probably would not think about until a Cybercab showed up at the curb.

 

What happens if a Cybercab crashes?

A driverless vehicle still needs a plan for the moment something goes wrong. According to Tesla documentation, a collision can trigger several automatic responses. The airbags can deploy and the doors can unlock. Hazard lights and interior lights can also switch on.

The vehicle can disable its high-voltage battery, move the windows into a vent position and apply the brakes until it comes to a stop. Tesla’s system can also open a two-way connection with its Robotaxi Support team.

That support connection could become especially important in a vehicle where nobody can grab the steering wheel or hit the brakes. Tesla also gives riders ways to stop a trip themselves.

UBER LETS PARENTS WATCH TEEN RIDES LIVE

Advertisement

Tesla’s newest robotaxi introduces unique safety features, strict rider requirements and a federal review as autonomous service expands in Austin, Texas. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)

 

There is an emergency Stop button

Look above you when you get inside a Cybercab. Tesla placed a dedicated Stop button between the dome lights. Pressing it sends an immediate pull-over request, ends the ride and connects you with Robotaxi Support.

You can also tap Pull Over on the touchscreen or make the request through the Robotaxi app. However, Tesla warns that an “immediate” pull-over may still take some time. For example, the vehicle may need longer to reach a safe stopping point while traveling on a highway. That is worth knowing before your first ride.

 

Tesla made the manual door release easier to find

Tesla’s electronic door releases have attracted criticism because passengers may need a mechanical backup when a vehicle loses power.

Cybercab still uses electronically controlled doors during normal operation. In fact, the nearest door can open automatically when the ride requester approaches.

Advertisement

Inside, you can normally open the door through the touchscreen or gently lift a lever on the door panel. Pull that lever firmly all the way up, though, and it activates the mechanical release. Both Cybercab doors have one.

I like that Tesla put the emergency release where a passenger can actually see and reach it. There is one important warning. Tesla says using the mechanical release can damage the window or trim. If the vehicle has no power and the window remains fully raised, Tesla warns the glass could shatter when someone activates the release. That is one instruction I would want to know before an emergency.

 

Cybercab uses electronic braking

Tesla also made a major change underneath the vehicle. Cybercab uses a brake-by-wire system rather than a traditional hydraulic setup. Electronic actuators control the brake calipers instead of hydraulic lines carrying brake fluid.

Musk said in a post on X that electric brakes avoid the complexity of routing hydraulic plumbing around the vehicle. Tesla has already used steer-by-wire technology in the Cybertruck.

With Cybercab, passengers have no physical driving controls at all. That puts even more responsibility on the electronics and software to work properly every time.

Advertisement

 

Cybercab windows will not open all the way

Here is one of the stranger details Tesla included in its new rider guide. Cybercab passengers can lower the windows, but Tesla says they “cannot be fully opened at this time.” The company does not explain why.

The window switches also sit underneath the center touchscreen rather than on the doors. So, yes, you can crack a window for some air. You simply cannot roll it all the way down right now.

WAYMO RECALLS ROBOTAXIS OVER CONSTRUCTION-ZONE RISK

Tesla’s driverless Cybercab enters commercial service as federal regulators review how the company certified the vehicle for U.S. roads. (Aaron E. Martinez/The Austin American-Statesman via Getty Images)

 

Cybercab packs USB-C charging

At least you should have somewhere to plug in your devices. Tesla confirms that Cybercab has USB-C charging ports inside the cabin.

Advertisement

An attendee at the launch reported that those ports can deliver up to 90 watts of power. That could be enough to charge many laptops.

However, Tesla’s current public rider guide does not list that wattage. So, I would treat the 90-watt figure as an early report until Tesla publishes the specification itself.

 

Federal regulators are already looking at Cybercab

On Sept. 3, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened what it calls an Audit Query into Tesla’s certification that Cybercab meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. NHTSA announced the action on Sept. 4 following the vehicle’s commercial deployment in Austin.

Automakers in the U.S. generally certify their own vehicles as complying with federal standards. NHTSA can then audit those certifications and investigate when questions come up.

Cybercab presents an unusual case because it has no steering wheel, pedals or mirrors. Many federal vehicle rules were written around cars designed for human drivers. NHTSA’s audit reportedly covers about 1,000 Cybercabs as the agency reviews how Tesla determined the vehicles comply.

Advertisement

That does not mean regulators have found Cybercab unsafe. It does mean Tesla now has to back up its certification with technical information that satisfies the agency.

 

What this means to you

If you get the chance to ride in a Cybercab, I would spend a minute learning the cabin before the car starts moving. Find the emergency Stop button. Know where the mechanical door release sits. Keep your seat belt fastened for the entire trip.

Tesla says every passenger must buckle up before the ride begins. Cybercab may pull over or cancel a trip if it detects improper seat-belt use. Parents should also pay close attention to the age rules. Cybercab and Tesla’s Model Y Robotaxi do not follow the same limits.

Beyond that, remember how new this vehicle is. Tesla is putting a very different kind of car into real-world service, and regulators are already asking questions about how it fits existing safety standards.

We have seen how unexpected situations can challenge other autonomous vehicles too. CyberGuy recently reported how Waymo recalled robotaxis over a construction-zone risk after vehicles entered closed freeway construction areas.

Advertisement

The technology can be impressive. Still, the real test comes when these vehicles deal with everything ordinary roads throw at them.

 

Kurt’s key takeaways

Cybercab is finally moving from Tesla’s big promise to something people can actually ride in. I like seeing safeguards such as the mechanical door release and emergency Stop button, especially when passengers have no steering wheel or pedals to grab. Still, the under-13 restriction, lack of LATCH anchors and windows that do not fully open caught my attention. Add the federal investigation, and Tesla now has something bigger to prove. Putting Cybercab on the road is one thing. Showing that people can trust it day after day is the real test.

Would you climb into a Cybercab today with no steering wheel or pedals, or would you want to see a longer safety record before trusting it with your ride? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report

  • Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox.
  • For simple, real-world ways to spot scams early and stay protected, visit CyberGuy.com trusted by millions who watch CyberGuy on TV daily.
  • Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide free when you join.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Technology

Valve is still figuring out ‘how and when’ to do Steam Deck 2

Published

on

Valve is still figuring out ‘how and when’ to do Steam Deck 2

Now that Valve has finally launched its entire 2026 hardware lineup — the Steam Controller, the Steam Machine, and today’s Steam Frame — are we any closer to a next-gen Steam Deck handheld? Valve isn’t saying so yet. The company is figuring out “how and when we can deliver something like that,” Valve designer Pierre-Loup Griffais now tells IGN.

“We also don’t want more performance to come at a significant cost to power efficiency and battery life,” Griffais told me in 2023, saying he wanted to see a “leap” instead — but suggesting that leap might not be physically possible for another couple of years.

Today, IGN’s new question was: “Has the current hardware shortage impacted the way Valve is thinking about actually putting a Steam Deck 2 into development?” Griffais’ immediate answer was “Not really.”

The real question is: has Valve yet identified the future chip that will appear in the Steam Deck 2? Because the company will work backwards from that chip’s availability to create the hardware it lives within.

Advertisement

Intel’s Panther Lake handheld chip in the MSI Claw 8 EX AI Plus is the first I’ve tried that comes close to the kind of “generational leap” that Griffais has been talking about, but Panther Lake handhelds are incredibly expensive, and the Intel chip wasn’t a silver bullet in my tests. But I bet Valve has seen the future of Intel, AMD, and Qualcomm chips, and maybe a future one will do the trick.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending