DoorDash vs Uber Eats

DoorDash Adds Retailers, Launches Text Shopping Assistant

DoorDash has added Macy's, Anthropologie, The North Face, Vans, and Timberland to its retail marketplace, expanding beyond restaurant delivery. The company also launched Dasher Returns, a service that coordinates pickups for product returns. On the technology side, DoorDash announced Text DoorDash, an expansion of its Ask DoorDash in-app assistant, allowing customers to place orders via text messaging. These moves follow a milestone partnership with Costco and the expansion of its SNAP/EBT program with seven new grocers. DoorDash aims to build a 'mall in your pocket' by reducing friction in online shopping, leveraging AI and agentic assistants to improve discovery and conversion. The company reports over 4.5 million users have added SNAP cards, and 75,000 stores accept the benefit. The focus is on serving routine shopping habits and providing value through savings and convenience.

• DoorDash added Macy's, Anthropologie, The North Face, Vans, and Timberland to its retail marketplace.
• DoorDash launched Dasher Returns, a service for coordinating product return pickups.
• DoorDash announced Text DoorDash, an expansion of its Ask DoorDash assistant for ordering via text.

DoorDash unveils drone delivery service, DoorDash Air

DoorDash unveiled its new drone delivery service, DoorDash Air, and a six-propeller aircraft at its annual Dash Forward 2026 event. The company emphasized a systems-first approach, starting with ground infrastructure like loading systems, restaurant handoffs, and packaging before designing the drone. DoorDash Labs, which built the sidewalk bot Dot, developed DoorDash Air and the underlying Autonomous Delivery Platform (ADP) software for coordinating human, bot, and drone deliveries. The ADP uses smart routing based on weather, flight range, and traffic. DoorDash received a Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA in July, enabling commercial drone delivery. Early pilots will launch in Northern California with partners including Chipotle, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, and Momo N Curry.

• DoorDash unveiled its drone delivery service, DoorDash Air, at Dash Forward 2026.
• The drone features six propellers and a winch for package pickup and drop-off.
• DoorDash received Part 135 air carrier certification from the FAA in July.

DoorDash launches AI agent for text-based food ordering

DoorDash introduced AI-powered ordering features on September 30, 2026, including a text-to-order agent for Apple Messages and an expanded text-based ordering beta (doordash.com/text). Users can order via conversational prompts, get recommendations, and handle group orders. The Apple Messages pilot is live with 20,000 U.S. consumers, with a broader waitlist. Additionally, DoorDash launched the DoorDash MCP for corporate ordering, enabling automated office restaurant orders and supply restocks. Grocery tools now offer one-tap cart rebuilding and automatic substitutions. In the first three months of Ask DoorDash, users discovered over 40,000 new restaurants, with nearly half of orders going to local businesses. Assistant-built grocery baskets were five times faster and had higher value. DoorDash also plans to test delivery drones in Northern California, intensifying competition with Uber Eats and Grubhub.

• DoorDash announced on September 30, 2026, AI-powered ordering features including a text-to-order agent for Apple Messages and a text-based ordering beta.
• The Apple Messages pilot is live with 20,000 U.S. consumers, with a waitlist for broader access.
• DoorDash launched the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to automate corporate restaurant orders and supply restocks.

NYC Council to Hold AI Policy Hearing on Risks

New York City's City Council will hold a hearing on AI policy, considering proposals for independent validation of AI models and whistleblower protections. Gary Marcus, AI expert and NYU Professor Emeritus, plans to testify, advocating for an FDA-like regulatory regime for AI, citing risks such as hacking, deepfakes, and chatbot-related incidents. He argues that NYC can lead where the federal government has not, referencing Sam Altman's controversial remarks.

• New York City Council will hold an AI policy hearing on October 5, 2026.
• Proposals under consideration include independent validation of AI models and whistleblower protections.
• Gary Marcus plans to testify, advocating for an FDA-like regulatory regime for AI.

Premium Ride Updates in Detroit and Ann Arbor

New blog posts announced: 'Premium Ride Updates in Detroit and Ann Arbor' and 'Uber Black and Premier Updates in Detroit and Ann Arbor', both dated October 2, 2026.

Uber Blog: New Engineering Post on MCP Gateway

A new blog post titled 'Designing MCP Gateway Uber's MCP Management Platform' was added to the Uber blog, dated October 1, 2026.