Meanwhile, Just Eat UK is kicking off a new unique trial run with delivery bots. These robots are built to climb stairs in real urban settings. The robots, called RIVR, have been recently deployed to test in Milton Keynes and Bristol. They will address difficult urban or small town challenges that conventional delivery methods frequently fail at.
Our RIVR robots feature an advanced, four-legged robot design. Each foot has its own set of sly little wheels making them capable of braving staircases and other urban hurdles with ease. As part of the trial, Just Eat UK will work alongside ten independent restaurants. Eight of these restaurants are currently in Bristol, with the other two in Milton Keynes. Notable Bristol establishments include Jolly Fryer, Chicken Mews, and Bishopston Fish Bar, while 12th Street Burgers & Shakes and Moores Fish & Chips represent Milton Keynes.
The robots are easily identifiable with orange Just Eat boxes on their backs, ready to deliver meals from their partnered restaurants. This joint initiative tests the effectiveness of autonomous delivery systems in real-world environments. Autonomous delivery represents a potential clever solution to the seemingly insatiable consumer appetite for speedy food delivery.
Marko Bjelonic, the chief executive of RIVR, told Smart Cities Dive this trial is a big deal. He continued, “This is huge step forward in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities. He continued to emphasize that the launch in Milton Keynes reflects a broader commitment to practical delivery and automation. In this way, this approach fits right in with how things already operate.
A very similar pilot project was carried out in Switzerland, with nearly 1,000 of the autonomous deliveries successfully completed. This initial journey has taught us a lot and those lessons have helped to shape Just Eat UK’s current testing phase. The RIVR robots are only half the innovation. With delivery drones being tested in Ireland, there is a clear global push towards autonomous delivery solutions.
Throughout the trial period, humans are piloting RIVR robots from outside the restaurants. This configuration permits direct oversight and engagement whilst measuring and evaluating the robots’ performance across a multitude of diverse urban realities.