DoorDash, one of the leading local delivery platforms, is rolling out major innovations that are expected to change the way users interact with its services. Among the new features it is introducing are text ordering, drone deliveries, and the ability to return products to retailers.
See also: DoorDash Air: New drone delivery service
The new messaging ordering feature builds on the capabilities introduced by the Ask DoorDash AI to the DoorDash app in June. This feature allows users to get recommendations and avoid browsing, bypassing the app entirely. DoorDash says that “ordering is now as easy as sending a message.” Users can request a specific dish, get local recommendations based on their mood, or ask DoorDash to “order your usual protein bowl to the office.”
The system searches for local spots, suggests a cart, and manages order completion within the message thread, learning and remembering users' preferences for future orders.
This feature is currently in preview, as ordering via message is not yet available. iOS users in the US can sign up for a waitlist to try out the beta experience. DoorDash has been asked for information on the release timeline and availability for Android, which shows the company's commitment to expanding the feature to more platforms and users.
Meanwhile, DoorDash is introducing its drone delivery service, DoorDash Air. The first location for the service will be piloted in an unspecified part of Northern California, with local food services like Chipotle and Popeyes. According to DoorDash, about 80 percent of typical restaurant orders are “light and small enough to be safely transported by aircraft.”
See also: DoorDash: New fast food delivery pilot program via drone in the US
Initial tests show that food arrives at customers' doors within five minutes. However, DoorDash has not announced when drone deliveries will actually be available to consumers, which leaves room for further development and testing.
Additionally, DoorDash is expanding a returns feature across the U.S. in November. This service allows customers to pay DoorDash delivery drivers to return items to local retailers. The service is currently only available in select cities and costs $7.99 to schedule an eligible return. No box or shipping label is required, as the item is picked up at the customer’s door, returned to the store, and the return is processed.
This initiative aims to help customers avoid missing the return deadline for unwanted products purchased through DoorDash due to other obligations that prevent them from shipping or returning the items themselves.
DoorDash, with these innovations, demonstrates its commitment to improving the user experience and offering solutions that meet modern needs. The introduction of text ordering and drone deliveries opens up new horizons for the company, while the ability to return products offers a practical solution for customers who want to manage their returns with ease.
See also: DoorDash: AI browsers pose a big threat to Amazon
With technology evolving rapidly, DoorDash is at the forefront of innovation, offering services that not only make users' daily lives easier, but also strengthen its position in the market.
