Food Delivery Robots: The Innovation of the Future

Currently, there are many brands of food delivery services available, each with distinct, albeit sometimes subtle, unique selling points. However, all brands share the common goal of delivering food from their partner restaurants to customers quickly, fresh, beautifully presented, and safely. Research from Católica Lisbon School of Business & Economics, a leading business and economics university in Portugal, indicates that:

Consumers primarily view online food ordering platforms, focusing on whether the appearance of the food ordered through the app matches the images they see. This aligns with the initial conclusion regarding speed, freshness, presentation, and safety. Therefore, relying solely on human riders makes it challenging to meet all the requirements outlined in the research.

Uber, the renowned transportation company from the United States, likely recognized this potential and collaborated with Cartken, a manufacturer of small autonomous delivery robots. Cartken has previously produced food and parcel delivery robots for universities. Uber Eats, one of Uber's product lines, partnered with Cartken to conduct a market trial using these robots for food delivery.

This service initially launched in specific areas of Miami, where Uber Eats allows customers to choose whether or not to use the robot delivery service. Cartken's robots operate using cameras and numerous sensors to identify delivery routes. Crucially, they are equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) that allows them to self-improve and intelligently navigate to consumers.

Receiving food from the robot is quite simple. Once the robot arrives at its destination, a numeric keypad on its lid prompts the consumer to enter a confirmation code from Uber Eats, similar to an OTP used for various transactions. After entering the code, the robot's lid opens, and the food is delivered to the consumer quickly, fresh, beautifully presented, and safely. Currently, Uber Eats aims to expand its food delivery robot service to Las Vegas.

Nevada. Uber and Cartken have submitted a proposal for collaboration with Motional, a self-driving car company based in Las Vegas.

If the aforementioned story can truly transform food delivery from human labor to robotics, it will significantly alleviate labor law issues and reduce consumer complexity associated with food delivery.

STEP SOLUTIONS Co., Ltd. is keenly observing these developments, aiming to integrate them into our solutions. Should this innovation materialize, it will undoubtedly advance food delivery services within Thailand.