You can text DoorDash’s AI bot to ‘order my usual’ and it will figure the rest out

DoorDash is expanding how customers can place orders and handle returns, introducing text-message ordering powered by its Ask DoorDash chatbot, piloting drone deliveries under DoorDash Air, and rolling its returns pickup service nationwide in November. The texting feature is entering a US iOS beta waitlist, while drone tests have been run in northern California and the returns pickup currently costs $7.99 per scheduled return.

By AI Newsroom· Reviewed by Pranav, Founder & Editor-in-ChiefPublished 2 minutes agoUpdated 2 minutes ago0 views

You can text DoorDash’s AI bot to ‘order my usual’ and it will figure the rest out

Why It Matters

These moves extend DoorDash beyond app-based food delivery into conversational commerce, rapid drone logistics, and retailer returns — areas that could change last-mile delivery expectations and customer convenience. Each feature leverages existing local partnerships and operational assets to broaden the company’s service offering.

Key Facts

Text ordering beta: iOS users in the US can join a waitlist to try text-based ordering in beta
Ask DoorDash: Text ordering builds on the Ask DoorDash AI chatbot launched in June
Drone pilot location: DoorDash Air pilot in an unspecified part of northern California
Drone partners: Initial local food partners include Chipotle and Popeyes
Drone capacity and speed: DoorDash says about 80% of typical restaurant orders are light/small enough for drones; initial testing shows deliveries arrive within five minutes at customers’ doors

DoorDash announced a set of new customer features that aim to simplify ordering and returns while trialing drone delivery. The company is adding a text-message ordering option that extends capabilities introduced in June with its Ask DoorDash AI chatbot. According to DoorDash, the system can search nearby restaurants, suggest items, complete checkout inside a text thread and remember user preferences; the texting experience is available for US iOS users via a beta waitlist.

Separately, DoorDash revealed the first testing area for DoorDash Air, its drone delivery initiative, which will operate in a part of northern California and include local menus from partners such as Chipotle and Popeyes. The company said roughly 80% of typical restaurant orders fit the size and weight constraints for its aircraft and reported that early tests delivered food to customers in about five minutes. DoorDash has not provided a consumer launch date for drone deliveries.

DoorDash is also expanding a returns pickup service nationwide in November. The feature — currently offered in select cities — lets customers schedule a courier to collect eligible returns from their doorstep without needing a box or shipping label; DoorDash then brings the item back to the retailer and processes the return. The company charges $7.99 to schedule an eligible return.

The announcements combine conversational AI, rapid logistics trials and added convenience services to broaden DoorDash’s role in local commerce. The company did not provide a full rollout timeline for text ordering beyond the iOS waitlist or a date for when DoorDash Air will be available to consumers.