Uber Technologies has partnered with drone delivery company Zipline to offer autonomous drone deliveries to Uber Eats customers in the US, with the service due to begin before the end of the year.

As part of the agreement, Uber will make a “strategic” undisclosed investment in Zipline.

The deal will enable Uber Eats users in areas where Zipline already has operations to select drone delivery for their orders. The companies also intend to expand the service to dozens more cities across the US.

Over the longer term, Uber and Zipline are aiming for a joint capacity of one million drone deliveries a day by the end of 2029.

A statement by Uber said: “Together, Uber and Zipline will accelerate the adoption of drone delivery at scale, bringing fast and affordable autonomous deliveries to millions more consumers.”

Zipline co-founder Keller Cliffton said: “Every great transportation revolution has changed where people live, how businesses operate, and how economies grow.

“Together with Uber, we are taking the next step toward building a world where getting what you need is as fast and effortless as sending a text, no matter where you are.”

According to the statement, Zipline currently operates on four continents.

It also said the partnership aims to reduce delivery times for US customers to between five and ten minutes.

Uber said the agreement is part of its wider “hybrid delivery” strategy, which combines human couriers, pavement robots and drones.

Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said: “Zipline has built incredible technology, and Uber connects many millions of people with local merchants every day.

“We look forward to bringing this technology to more communities and making autonomous delivery part of everyday life.”

The Zipline partnership comes after two other Uber Eats agreements announced last month.

Uber added five regional grocery chains to its platform, widening its grocery offer in Arkansas, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.

During the same month, the company also reached an agreement with GameStop that will let customers order accessories, collectibles, consoles, video games and other electronics from the retailer's stores across the country, with scheduled and on-demand delivery options available.