Amazon Adds Uber Eats Delivery Updates to Smart Device Repertoire

Amazon and Uber have entered into a partnership that will integrate Uber Eats directly into Amazon Echo devices, letting shoppers track their orders hands-free. Alexa will provide timely updates on critical points in the delivery process, such as when an order is being prepared through when the order has been delivered.

Shoppers can set how often they want to receive updates, as well as which devices they want Alexa to use to make announcements. They also can choose to receive an Alexa notification instead of having them play automatically, which will cause Echo devices to change to yellow and give users a chance to ask, “Alexa, what’s my notification?”

“Simple ambient experiences let customers be more present with family and friends — they don’t need to be distracted by checking for delivery updates on their mobile apps,” said Mark Yoshitake, GM and Director of Alexa Skills at Amazon in a statement. “Now, customers can settle in for their favorite movie and trust Alexa to let them know when their driver is approaching with their order or update them if there is a material change to the estimated delivery time. It’s yet another example of how Alexa is helping make customers’ lives easier.”

Alexa is Uber Eats’ third order tracking platform, following the additions of Google Assistant and Apple’s Siri within the last year. The partnership also will help Amazon fuel its own smart home push by building on the retailer’s agreement to acquire robot manufacturer iRobot for approximately $1.7 billion in August 2022.