Takeaway firm Just Eat has launched trials of autonomous delivery robots to transport food to customers in Milton Keynes and Bristol.
The robots being deployed in Milton Keynes are developed by RIVR and resemble electronic dogs capable of navigating stairs and pavements to reach the doorstep. The firm says the robots are powered by a system dubbed ‘physical AI’, which allows them to adapt to their surroundings and avoid obstacles such as rubbish bins, grass and pedestrians while moving safely alongside traffic and cyclists.
With a top speed of approximately 15km/h, they’re primarily built for ‘last-mile’ deliveries, with handover process at the restaurant similar to a courier. Each robot has a 40-litre insulated cargo bay with an internal divider to prevent spillage, and customers can unlock the robot’s cargo bin to receive their order.
After a successful launch in Zürich, Just Eat said the partnership with RIVR represents its ambition to take autonomous delivery “from novelty to infrastructure...