A new trend in food delivery is rolling into Los Angeles! DoorDash has teamed up with Coco Robotics to bring eco-friendly delivery robots right to your sidewalk. Starting now, folks in LA and Chicago can use the DoorDash app to have their favorite meals delivered by these small, boxy robots that leave no carbon footprint.
Coco Robotics isn’t alone in this market. Companies like Serve Robotics and Starship Technologies have been delivering food in various cities for a while now. In fact, DoorDash’s international branch, Wolt, teamed up with Coco last year in Helsinki, Finland, which kickstarted this wave of innovation.
Zach Rash, the CEO of Coco, expressed excitement about the partnership. He noted that combining their self-driving technology with DoorDash’s vast network is a big leap for delivery services in urban areas.
Coco’s robot fleet, which includes over 1,000 delivery units, has already completed more than 400,000 deliveries, partnering with numerous restaurants in the process. According to their website, using robots can help restaurants increase profits by up to 50%. That’s quite a win for business owners!
However, it’s not all smooth sailing. Some city residents have shown frustration, with reports of people kicking the robots or blocking their paths. Cities like New York and San Francisco have even debated banning these robots due to traffic and job concerns. Many argue that relying on robots might take jobs away from delivery workers and make city streets even more congested.
Interestingly, a recent survey by Pew Research found that nearly 68% of Americans are open to trying delivery robots, highlighting a growing acceptance of this technology. The comfort level seems to be highest among younger generations, with many eager to explore new experiences.
Harrison Shih from DoorDash Labs emphasized that innovation is key. He mentioned, “Not every delivery needs a two-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches.” He believes the future lies in combining various delivery methods, including robots and drones, to meet customer needs efficiently.
In addition to the collaboration with Coco, DoorDash Labs is also working with Wing to introduce drone deliveries. Wing’s drone service began testing in Virginia, and reports predict this could expand significantly in the coming years.
As the partnership rolls out, nearly 600 merchants in LA will have their food delivered by these innovative robots. The average delivery distance for Coco robots is about one mile, allowing them to serve a large area efficiently while keeping things green.
With technology rapidly changing how we trade and transport goods, it’s clear that delivery methods are evolving. What’s your take? Would you trust a robot to bring your next meal?
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