Autonomous Delivery in the U.S.: Identifying the Scalable and Efficient Leader

The U.S. autonomous delivery technology sector is undergoing a transformative phase, driven by advancements in AI, electric vehicles, and regulatory progress. As companies vie for dominance, investors must discern which firms combine operational efficiency with scalable infrastructure. This analysis evaluates the leading contenders-Starship Technologies, Zipline, Gatik, Nuro, and Clevon-using metrics such as cost per delivery, energy efficiency, accident rates, and strategic partnerships to identify the most promising investment.

Operational Efficiency: Cost and Energy Metrics

Autonomous delivery's primary appeal lies in its potential to reduce costs and energy consumption. Starship Technologies, which operates sidewalk robots for last-mile deliveries, has demonstrated exceptional efficiency. According to a report by , its robots use approximately the energy equivalent of boiling a small kettle of water per delivery. This low energy demand, combined with over 9 million deliveries completed in 2025, underscores its cost-effectiveness. By contrast, Zipline's drone-based model has completed 1.5 million deliveries but relies on fixed-wing aircraft, which may incur higher energy costs for longer routes according to analysis. Gatik's middle-mile autonomous trucks, while efficient for structured logistics, face higher operational costs due to vehicle size and infrastructure demands as noted. Nuro's electric vehicles, with 2 million autonomous miles logged, offer urban efficiency but lack the granular energy metrics of Starship according to data.

Cost per delivery data further highlights Starship's edge. A study cited by notes that integrating robots can reduce last-mile delivery costs by up to 57% compared to traditional methods. Starship's robots, operating at SAE Level 4 autonomy, require minimal human intervention, directly lowering labor expenses according to reports. Zipline and Nuro, while innovative, lack comparable cost-per-delivery transparency, though their focus on niche markets (e.g., medical supplies for Zipline) may limit broader applicability.

Scalability: Partnerships and Regulatory Hurdles

Scalability hinges on partnerships, regulatory approvals, and infrastructure. Starship Technologies has secured $50 million in Series C funding to expand its fleet from 2,700 to 12,000 robots by 2027. This growth is bolstered by partnerships with Grubhub and Wolt, enabling rapid market penetration in the U.S. and Europe as detailed. Zipline, meanwhile, has secured FAA approvals for nationwide drone operations according to analysis, but its scalability is constrained by airspace regulations and the need for specialized infrastructure. Gatik's middle-mile model, serving clients like Walmart and Kroger, benefits from structured routes but faces slower adoption due to the complexity of integrating autonomous trucks into existing supply chains as noted.

Nuro's partnerships with Kroger and Domino's highlight its urban delivery focus, yet its reliance on electric vehicles raises questions about charging infrastructure scalability according to reports. Clevon, despite ambitious plans to expand to 1,000 vehicles by 2025 as stated, lacks the funding and partnerships of its peers, limiting its immediate growth potential.

Safety and Public Acceptance

Safety remains a critical concern. Starship's sidewalk robots operate in low-speed, pedestrian-friendly environments, resulting in minimal accident rates. Zipline's drones, which avoid ground-level obstacles, also report low incident rates. Gatik and Nuro, operating in mixed-traffic environments, face higher regulatory scrutiny but have not disclosed specific accident metrics. Public acceptance, while improving, remains a hurdle, particularly for companies like Clevon, which lack transparency in safety data.

Conclusion: Starship Technologies Emerges as the Leader

Among the contenders, Starship Technologies stands out for its combination of operational efficiency, scalability, and strategic partnerships. Its energy-efficient robots, cost advantages, and aggressive expansion plans position it to dominate the last-mile delivery market. While Zipline and Nuro excel in niche applications, Starship's broad applicability and funding support make it the most attractive investment. As the U.S. autonomous delivery market grows at a projected CAGR of 24.1%, Starship's ability to scale rapidly and adapt to urban logistics challenges will likely cement its leadership.