Just Eat UK has started trials with the four-legged RIVR robots, in a move aimed at improving food delivery services. This trial includes ten independent restaurants across Milton Keynes and Bristol. The nifty little bots, programmed to zip around “tricky city impediments,” are expected to transform the food delivery game up and down Main Street.
In Milton Keynes, two restaurants will take part in the trial. They’re 12 th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Chips. Meantime, Bristol has eight other chippy-style restaurants, notably the city’s Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews and Bishopston Fish Bar. The addition of indies highlights Just Eat UK’s dedication to championing the UK’s vibrant independent restaurant scene, while embracing new delivery technologies.
The RIVR robots are equipped with tiny, tank-tread-style wheels on each foot. This enables them to effortlessly outmaneuver the diverse challenges, like yard brick steps, that await them. This ability is crucially important in urban environments where traditional last mile delivery solutions are constrained. Right now, the researchers are field-testing these robots in real urban city environments. This testing gives us a detailed look at their performance and reliability.
Marko Bjelonic, chief executive of RIVR, said this trial was historic. He stated, “This is an important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities.” This effort comes after a similar pilot test in Switzerland, where almost 1,000 autonomous deliveries were made successfully.
“The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations,” – Marko Bjelonic, chief executive of RIVR.
In addition to the robot trials in the UK, Just Eat UK is exploring the potential of delivery drones in Ireland. The obvious example of this doubling down includes their expansion into robotic and drone delivery systems. No industry is as besieged by automation lately as the food delivery sector.
The RIVR robots feature an orange Just Eat box on their backs, making them easily recognizable as they navigate city streets. By testing these robots in multiple locations, Just Eat UK aims to gather valuable data on their effectiveness and customer reception.