Just Eat UK has started a trial of cutting edge, four-legged delivery robots in two UK cities—Milton Keynes and Bristol. These smart robots are built to independently traverse complex urban settings, from climbing up stairs to just about any other daunting barrier. The trial represents a significant step forward for autonomous vehicle delivery. It hopes to work tech into the day-to-day practices of all types of restaurants.
In Milton Keynes, the trial features participation from local eateries such as 12th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Chips. At the same time, Bristol has the most restaurants participating, with names like Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews, and Bishopston Fish Bar. Just 10 independent restaurants are taking part in the seven-month trial in each city. This trial will measure how effectively and efficiently and safely and practically the robots operate in real-world environments.
The robots are uniquely designed with small wheels on each of their four legs, allowing them to traverse various terrains. An orange Just Eat box strapped to the robot’s back during tests, holding the food deliveries inside. Although the robots drive themselves, staff are stationed outside of each of the participating restaurants to assist if needed.
Marko Bjelonic, RIVR’s chief executive, underlined the importance of this partnership with Just Eat UK. He stated that it represents “an important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities.” The long-term goal of the delivery pilot is to improve overall consumer delivery experience and reduce consumers’ dependence on standard delivery channels.
This trial comes on the heels of a similar pilot done in Switzerland, which saw nearly 1,000 successful autonomous deliveries. The successful result of the experiment has galvanized Just Eat UK to implement these measures. They’re now working with RIVR to further grow their testing with the UK market. Civilian delivery drones are already being tested in Ireland. This indicates that there is a growing trend across Europe towards acceptance of automated delivery solutions.
“The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations,” Bjelonic noted. This method would help make food delivery operations more efficient and adjust to how fast-paced and dynamic urban areas can be.
Developing technology moves quickly. If successful, the pilot from Just Eat UK could open the door for the use of autonomous vehicles in food delivery on a much wider scale. The success of this trial has the potential to shape the future direction of urban delivery services across the board.