Articles

IN 30 – Robots and Food Delivery

By CFIN Newsdesk posted 05-29-2023 08:00

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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 

Businessinsider.com - 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 

Tiny Mile – Food businesses and consumers are using Geoffrey, small remotely-controlled robot couriers, from Toronto, ON-based Tiny Mile 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.

InDro Robotics – This Victoria, BC-based company produces unmanned robotic technology including drones and robots for air, land and water. Its ROLL-E is a remote-controlled UVG (unmanned ground vehicle) designed specifically for last mile deliveries.

Social Media 

@starshiprobots – (Instagram) Founded in 2014, Starship has completed more than four million autonomous deliveries around the world.

@kiwicampus – (Facebook) Columbia-based Kiwi Campus is a food delivery service for school campuses which delivers meals to students via Kiwibots.

@ServeRobotics – (Twitter) 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 - Tiny Mile Delivery Robot, Geoffrey, Makes Friends in Charlotte