noon Minutes Showcases Fully Autonomous Drone Deliveries at DriftX in Push Toward Next-Generation Logistics

noon Minutes, the quick-commerce arm of noon, completed a series of fully autonomous drone deliveries during DriftX, an international smart-technology exhibition held as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week. The operation required no human control and offered a rare public look at how autonomous systems could reshape last-mile logistics across the UAE. The impact of the slowdown in major global economies will be “smaller” on the UAE’s growth and exports due to its relatively less exposure to those markets compared to other markets across the region, the World Bank said.

Visitors at the noon stand were able to place orders from a touchscreen and receive parcels by drone in under 15 minutes. Over the two-day showcase, more than 50 autonomous deliveries were completed, with items ranging from food to toys and personal-care products. noon described the activation as evidence of its investment in technologies designed to make delivery faster, smarter and more sustainable.

The demonstration relied on a consortium of UAE-based technology partners. The Technology Innovation Institute (TII) supplied the autonomy system governing flight operations, SteerAI provided the fleet-management software responsible for coordinating missions, and LODD supplied and monitored the drone hardware.

The DriftX showcase followed a successful trial in late October, when noon used a drone to transport a two-kilogram parcel between two mini-fulfilment centres in Bani Yas in under four minutes. The project operated under the oversight of the General Civil Aviation Authority, which is working with the Advanced Technology Research Council on airspace regulations and new air-traffic-management systems designed for unmanned operations.

noon’s CBO, Ali Kafil-Hussain, said the company is aiming to “set a new standard for delivery” by improving speed and reliability across both urban and remote areas. TII CEO Dr Najwa Aaraj said the institute’s AI-driven autonomy stack enables unmanned vehicles to operate with high precision. SteerAI’s acting CEO Michael Sonderby highlighted the importance of coordinated systems to ensure safe and effective operations, while LODD CEO Rashid Al Manai said the partnership is building a model for sustainable last-mile delivery in the UAE.

Following the DriftX activation, noon plans to move from demonstration to commercial rollout. Customers will soon be able to select drone delivery directly through the noon app and track parcels in real time. The company expects the system to improve delivery access to islands, farms and developing residential areas.

In a parallel development, talabat UAE signed an MoU with K2 to pilot commercial drone delivery for food and groceries. The trial will test a drone-to-station model aimed at reducing emissions and improving performance in high-demand zones. Executives from both organisations said the initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader goals for intelligent mobility and future-ready logistics.