noon Minutes Launches Autonomous Drone Delivery At DriftX In Abu Dhabi

noon Minutes, a quick-commerce service by noon, successfully showcased autonomous drone deliveries at DriftX in Abu Dhabi. This exhibition highlighted smart and autonomous technologies, marking significant progress towards making drone deliveries common in the UAE. During the event, drones operated without human intervention, demonstrating a glimpse of the future in last-mile logistics.

Over the two-day event, visitors to the noon stand could order products via a touchscreen, receiving them by drone in under 15 minutes. More than 50 deliveries were completed, ranging from food to toys, underscoring noon’s dedication to faster, smarter, and sustainable delivery solutions.

Collaborating with several partners, the activation was powered by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII), which provided the autonomy system. SteerAI contributed the fleet management software for flight coordination, while LODD supplied and monitored the drone hardware, ensuring smooth operations throughout the event.

Ali Kafil-Hussain, noon's Chief Business Officer, stated, "We're working hard to completely rethink delivery, making it faster and better for the planet. With the support of TII, SteerAI, and LODD, we're bringing this vision to life. Our aim is: to set a new standard for delivery, ensuring everyone gets their order quickly and reliably, whether they live in the city center or in a remote area."

Advanced Systems and Successful Tests

Earlier tests in late October saw a drone deliver a two-kilogram package between two noon Minutes centers in Bani Yas in less than four minutes. This project was conducted under the General Civil Aviation Authority’s oversight, working with the Advanced Technology Research Council to define airspace regulations and develop advanced airspace management systems in the UAE.

"Autonomous technology requires careful oversight and management to deliver impact," said Michael Sonderby, Acting CEO of SteerAI. "CoreConnect, our fleet management system, enables real-time mission planning, deployment, and tracking of any vehicle or drone, ensuring fast, safe delivery. This milestone shows how integrated autonomous systems can drive real, scalable results."

Following the success of this activation, noon and its partners aim to make autonomous delivery a standard practice. The goal is to allow customers to opt for drone delivery directly via the noon app, offering real-time tracking and visibility as parcels travel from noon's warehouses to their doorsteps within 15 minutes.

"TII's AI-driven autonomy stack integrates advanced perception, decision-making, communication, localization, and navigation to enable unmanned vehicles to operate quickly, precisely, and safely—changing the way we define mobility," said Dr. Najwa Aaraj, the CEO of the Technology Innovation Institute.

Rashid Al Manai, LODD CEO, added, "We are reimagining last-mile delivery to be faster and more sustainable for every customer. This partnership sets a new standard for sustainable, reliable delivery in the UAE. AI-powered coordination and autonomous systems will redefine how we move goods across cities."

This technology will broaden delivery access to previously challenging areas such as islands and new residential zones. By doing so, noon Minutes aims to deliver more reliably and swiftly to diverse communities across the UAE, enhancing service reach and efficiency.