E-commerce in the United Arab Emirates is on the verge of a technological leap. Noon Minutes, the rapid-delivery service of Noon, has opened a new chapter in aerial logistics after successfully completing a series of fully autonomous drone deliveries during DriftX, the mobility and innovation event held recently in Abu Dhabi.
Attendees expected to see drones on display — what they didn’t anticipate, according to event organizers, was watching those aircraft arrive at the showroom carrying real Noon Minutes orders in under 15 minutes, without any human intervention. Over three days, the fleet carried out more than 50 delivery missions, achieving times comparable to commercial operations.
The company shared footage of the milestone on Instagram, noting that the initiative aims to extend ultra-fast delivery to remote or hard-to-reach areas, such as new residential communities, islands, and agricultural zones that are difficult to service by road.
The project brings together several major players in the UAE tech ecosystem. The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) developed the AI-driven autonomy system; LODD supplied and monitored the drone hardware; and SteerAI coordinated flight paths through CoreConnect, its autonomous fleet management platform, enabling real-time monitoring of each mission — from Raha Beach to the DriftX venue.
Ali Kafil-Hussain, Noon’s Chief Business Officer, has stated that the company’s goal is to redefine last-mile logistics by making deliveries faster, more efficient, and more sustainable. Noon plans to add a drone-delivery option to its app soon, offering live tracking and delivery times of under 15 minutes.
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
The initiative remains under the oversight of the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority, which is reviewing safety and airspace regulations before authorizing broader commercial deployment. Earlier trials included deliveries between fulfillment centers, also completed in just a matter of minutes.
For many observers, the demonstrations at DriftX represent more than a technological showcase — they signal what could become the next phase of urban delivery. As SteerAI summarized on social media: “Keep your eyes on the skies. The future of last-mile delivery is coming in fast.”
Ver esta publicación en Instagram
