Sometimes, all it takes is 30 minutes to learn the ins and outs of new food technologies and trends that are transforming the food and beverage industry. In this series, we’ll dig into a food innovation topic and link you to content and resources so you can become a master on the topic in 30 minutes (or less!).
This week, we’re looking at the use of autonomous and remote-controlled robots for “last mile/kilometer” food delivery service.
The Overview
Business Insider - Self-driving delivery startup Nuro is partnering with Domino's to deliver pizzas in Houston— see how it works
Nuro is a self-driving delivery service using electric autonomous vehicles.
The Verge - Amazon stops field tests of its delivery robot Scout - The Verge
Amazon launched its Scout robot delivery service in 2019, but scaled back the program in late 2022 in favour of trials for Amazon Prime Air’s drone delivery service.
Forbes - The Future Of Delivery Robots
Robot delivery is becoming more familiar in cities around the world, offering an efficient, environmentally-friendly alternative to vehicle delivery.
The Canadian Connection
Toronto Star – Toronto Zoo rolls out robotic food delivery for animals – CFIN-funded startup Real Life Robotics has partnered with the Toronto Zoo to employ their fully autonomous electric robot, named Bubs, to deliver animal feed across the zoo’s sprawling campus.
Pink Bot – Food businesses and consumers are using Geoffrey, small remotely-controlled robot couriers, from Toronto, ON-based Pink Bot to make deliveries of less than 20 lbs. to customers within a specific delivery area.
DM Magazine – The Last-Mile Challenge in Canada
Customer demand for delivery has become a competitive edge for food companies and grocers. Digital, non-traditional delivery methods such as robots and drones could be a game-changer.
Social Media
@starshiprobots – (Instagram) Founded in 2014, Starship has completed more than four million autonomous deliveries around the world.
@kiwicampus – (Facebook) Colombia-based Kiwi Campus is a food delivery service for school campuses which delivers meals to students via Kiwibots.
@ServeRobotics – (X) San Francisco, CA-based Serve Robotics offers robot delivery with Uber Eats and other companies, and was testing its delivery service with Pizza Hut Canada in Vancouver, BC in September 2022.
Overtime
If you’ve got more than 30 minutes, these are for you:
YouTube - Pink Bot (formerly Tiny Mile) Delivery Robot, Geoffrey, Makes Friends in Charlotte
YouTube - Meet Nuro - Robots
You Tube - Self Driving Robots: The SOLUTION to Last-Mile Delivery?