Online food ordering platform Uber eats has partnered with ride-hailing robotics company Carkten to launch its Robot delivery service in Miami, USA, as it seeks to enhance its delivery capacity.
The six-wheeled robots are equipped with multiple sensors and cameras to help them avoid collisions and also choose safer routes void of hazards.
The robots which make use of the sidewalks will alert customers when their food is on the way and instruct them on where to come to pick it from.
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Customers can then proceed to unlock the machine by using their phones to open and take their orders from a secure compartment.
Despite the launch of the robot, customers will be presented with an option to opt out if they prefer to have their items delivered by a courier.
Commenting on the launch of its Robot delivery service, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery Noah Zych said, “Our partnership with Cartken marks another important milestone for our efforts in automated and autonomous technology and will provide greater reliability and affordability to Miami merchants and consumers”.
Also commenting is the co-founder and CEO of Cartken who said, “Together, we have the opportunity to reduce traffic congestion, help local merchants to increase delivery capacity, and bring consumers fast, convenient, and emission-free deliveries,”
For now, the Uber eats Robot delivery service will only be functional in Miami but will eventually expand to other parts of Miami-Dade County and additional cities next year according to the company.
Uber’s use of delivery robots will no doubt help the company to cut down cost as well as enable traffic decongestion which will ensure speedy delivery.
According to reports, consumers’ desires for faster delivery are one factor behind a significant increase in delivery robots.
Although the market for autonomous delivery robots is still in its infancy, however the demand for delivery robots is indeed moving on an upward trend.
The delivery robots market report share was estimated to be USD 212 million in 2021 and expected to reach USD 957 million by 2026, at a CAGR of 35.1% from 2021 to 2026.
Reduction in delivery costs in last-mile deliveries and increase in venture funding are reportedly the key factors driving the growth of the delivery robot market.
Furthermore, the worldwide growth of the e-commerce market is a factor propelling the growth of the delivery robot market.