Just Eat UK is rolling out a fleet of cool four-legged RIVR robots now being tested. These robots are designed to overcome some of the most difficult urban challenges, like … stairs. The trial – currently ongoing in the UK’s Milton Keynes and Bristol – includes ten independent restaurants. This move will ultimately help maximize the effectiveness of these innovative and beneficial food delivery services in actual city conditions.
The RIVR robots, equipped with small wheels on each foot, are capable of climbing outdoor brick steps, making them suitable for various urban landscapes. To keep food secure as it moves through the city, each robot is designed to carry a bright orange Just Eat box on its back. The trial showcases incredible local restaurants in Milton Keynes, including 12th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Chips. It features eight Bristol restaurants, including Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews and Bishopston Fish Bar.
Marko Bjelonic, chief executive of RIVR, is upbeat about the collaboration with Just Eat UK, telling. He stated that this project represents “an important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities.” Bjelonic emphasized the significance of this launch, noting that it reflects “a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations.”
This new trial comes after a successful pilot in Switzerland, where the robots carried out nearly 1,000 autonomous deliveries. We used all of the notable momentum from this past effort to enhance and enable doing the same tests out in the UK. Beyond the robotic trials, Ireland is testing out delivery drones. This is part of a larger trend to embrace more innovative and creative solutions to delivery.
As we all know, the food delivery climate is changing quickly. RIVR robots will change the way restaurants fulfill orders and they’ll enhance the customer experience, too. Our ongoing testing phase in Milton Keynes and Bristol will provide a wealth of insight. Encouragingly, it will help us learn just how well these robots work in urban environments.