Just Eat UK has introduced an interesting trial of advanced four-legged delivery bots. They’re working alongside RIVR to provide food delivery from ten local, independent Milton Keynes and Bristol restaurants. The goal of the initiative is to transform food delivery services. It takes on the limitations of our urban spaces, namely the difficulty of traveling up and down stairs and other barriers.
The trial features two participating restaurants in Milton Keynes: 12th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Chips. It’s a popular move in Bristol, where eight restaurants — including Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews and Bishopston Fish Bar — are part of the city’s pilot program. This latest move builds on a well-received pilot already run with SBB in Switzerland, which saw the completion of 1,000 autonomous deliveries.
The robots are designed with four legs, each leg’s foot outfitted with a small set of wheels. That design allows them to overcome tough urban barriers, such as steps. This remarkable design has made them a promising player in improving the efficiency of last mile delivery in urban areas. They are coordinated by a staff team member located outside the participating restaurants to ensure smooth and efficient deliveries.
Marko Bjelonic, chief executive of RIVR, shared how important this partnership is. He stated,
“The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations.”
Bjelonic further described the initiative as an “important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities,” highlighting the potential for expansion beyond the trial locations.
Just Eat UK is not the only one testing robots, they’re exploring the use of delivery drones technology across the Irish nation. This demonstrates the City’s willingness to invest in piloting innovative solutions to enhance food delivery services. As robots like these enter the market, they have the potential to greatly change the way meals are delivered, cutting meal delivery times and increasing customer satisfaction.
As this pilot continues, stakeholders will be watching intently to see the effect it has on improving operational efficiency and customer experience. These results can lead to more large-scale implementation of autonomous delivery solutions across different urban environments.