Just Eat UK has started a trial with new RIVR delivery robots that can walk on four legs. These robots are set to transform the way urban dwellers experience food delivery. Representatives from the ten independent restaurants participating in the pilot initiative. It’s still underway now in Milton Keynes and Bristol. This joint effort is meant to push the robots to their limits in maneuvering through city landscapes and overcoming tough barriers.
The RIVR robots have four legs with wheels on each foot. This nimble design lets them jump curbs and cruise up stairs while making short work of any other street-related obstacles. In Milton Keynes, local eateries such as 12th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Chips are participating in the trial. For Bristol, that means eight participating restaurants, including Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews, and Bishopston Fish Bar.
Marko Bjelonic, the chief executive of RIVR, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating that it represents an “important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities.” The robots all prominently feature an orange Just Eat box on their backs. This unique characteristic helps to make them highly visible during deliveries.
This trial comes after a successful pilot in Switzerland that saw almost 1,000 autonomous deliveries made. The lessons learned in that initiative have been shaping the current testing phase in the UK. “The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations,” Bjelonic added.
Ireland, too, has been running trials of delivery drones. This marks the latest trend of adding autonomous technology into the rapidly evolving food delivery industry. Now RIVR robots are being deployed in real city environments. This deployment will test their functionality and especially their reliability in real world, everyday scenarios.
Just Eat UK has continued to push the boundaries in delivery solutions with this innovative trial. Undeterred, their aim is to improve the last mile customer experience and address the growing logistical infrastructure issues with urban consumer deliveries. The world of delivery for food is changing quickly. The outcome of this trial has potential to significantly shape the future of operations in our rapidly changing industry.