Just Eat UK has launched an innovative trial of four-legged delivery robots in the cities of Milton Keynes and Bristol. These robots are built to address tough urban challenges. They want to improve the effectiveness of food delivery services by most effectively reaching customers in dynamic environments.
The ten independent restaurants participating in each city are the anchor of the pilot program. In Milton Keynes, taking part businesses are 12th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Chips. Eight restaurants around Bristol are participating in the first phase of this program. Famous establishments include Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews and Bishopston Fish Bar.
Their new four-legged robots are outfitted with tiny wheels on each foot. This remarkable ability makes them more mobile in bankyards, and their ability to climb stairs boosts their utility in often hilly urban areas. The trial is a partnership between Just Eat UK and RIVR, a robotics company focused on autonomous delivery solutions.
RIVR chief executive Marko Bjelonic was keen to stress the importance of this collaboration. He stated,
“The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations.”
Bjelonic further noted that this endeavor represents “an important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities.”
This trial comes on the heels of a successful pilot run in Switzerland, where nearly 1,000 autonomous deliveries took place. The lessons learned from that project have shaped the current trial taking place in the UK. Just Eat UK is exploring the potential of delivery drones in Ireland, further expanding its efforts to incorporate advanced technology into its operations.
The RIVR robots have an orange Just Eat box on their backs, which is designed in such a way that it securely transports food orders. The long-term trial will measure the effectiveness of these robots in real city settings. We’ll be testing how reliable and efficient they are at making deliveries.