Just Eat recently launched a promising trial with four-legged RIVR robots. These robots are built to scale over the hardest of urban terrains, including climbing staircases! This year, this fantastic initiative unites ten indie restaurants across Milton Keynes and Bristol. It’s a notable advance for the world of autonomous food delivery.
The trial is focused on assessing RIVR robots’ effectiveness and efficiencies in real-world city environments. It will provide them with critical information on their performance and operational effectiveness. These robots have a one of a kind architecture. On four stilt-like legs, each ending in small wheels, they nip over what urban planners refer to as “difficult urban terrain.”
In Milton Keynes, the trial includes attractive locations such as 12th Street Burgers & Shakes. It even features Moores Fish & Chips! Bristol’s appearance boasts an impressive lineup of eight local favorites, such as Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews and Bishopston Fish Bar. To demonstrate how the robots are used, the robots deliver an orange Just Eat box on their backs.
Marko Bjelonic, chief executive of RIVR, spoke positively of the partnership with Just Eat UK. He stated that this collaboration represents “an important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities.” This feeling reflects the growing role of robotics in logistics and more recently, delivery services. Companies are hungry to uncover new, creative solutions to meet today’s challenges.
The UK trials were hugely successful! At the same time, Switzerland ran a similar pilot program, finishing almost 1,000 autonomous deliveries. This past success will be a useful reference point for this year’s UK trials. It further highlights the need for caution in the rapid deployment and widespread adoption of robotic delivery services.
Now, Ireland has begun testing delivery drones. It goes to demonstrate that the industry knows it needs to be looking down every path available to increase the efficiency of deliveries. As our cities face worsening crowdedness, the need for creative solutions such as RIVR robots will be indispensable.
