Just Eat UK has begun a trial of four-legged delivery robots in Milton Keynes and Bristol. Through this groundbreaking initiative, Long Beach hopes to change the food delivery landscape for good. RIVR has created cutting-edge, versatile, and scalable robots that have the ability to overcome complex urban barriers. Their agility on stairs and rough ground makes them well-suited for a challenging, varied urban landscape.
The trial has seen engagement from ten local, independent restaurants in each city. Just down the road in Milton Keynes, 12th Street Burgers & Shakes is one of the local companies trialing the technology. So is Maggi’s Moores Fish & Chips! On the other side of the country, in Bristol, the strong entrants include Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews and Bishopston Fish Bar. In addition, each restaurant will get access to the same autonomous delivery system that can deliver the restaurant’s meals directly and autonomously to customers.
Marko Bjelonic, chief executive of RIVR cheered the importance of this collaboration. He stated that it represents “an important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities.” The new collaboration will help increase the accessibility of autonomous delivery. This creates major opportunities for these businesses to increase their operational efficiencies and quickly respond to customers’ needs.
Their four-legged robots are equipped with tank treads like wheels on each foot. This balance makes it easier for them to get over outdoor challenges, such as stairs or grassy slopes that have hedgerows bordering their banks. Each of the autonomous robots is equipped to carry an orange Just Eat box on its back, keeping food orders safe and secure. The trial aims to test the feasibility of deploying such technology in real city environments, providing valuable insights into its practical applications.
Bjelonic elaborated on the initiative’s goals, saying, “The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations.” It shows that they are being strategic with the use of technology in combination with their traditional delivery methods, providing a seamless experience for the customer.
The concept of autonomous delivery systems is not a novel one. A similar pilot program in Switzerland ran successfully, with the autonomous deliverer completing almost 1,000 autonomous deliveries. To further expand its reach towards an automated food delivery solution, Just Eat UK is currently testing delivery drones in Ireland.
While the trial continues, customer delivery robots will be managed by workers on the ground near participating restaurants. This method provides flexibility for testing while maintaining high quality service. If successful, these trials would open the door to further implementation of autonomous delivery systems throughout Europe.