Robotic Deliveries Start in Dallas; Orders by Uber Eats

Avride’s tie-up with Uber Eats is gathering momentum, with the self-driving technology company’s delivery robots now operating in Dallas.

The expansion comes just months after the companies signed an agreement to work together, with Avride’s bots initially launching on Uber Eats in Austin.

Now its significantly larger Texas neighbor is getting in on the action, too, marking the first time autonomous delivery robots have been available in downtown Dallas.

The expansion comes after weeks of talks between the companies, city officials and neighborhood associations to ensure a smooth launch without glitches.

As is the case in Austin, the user experience is straightforward. Customers who order a delivery from one of the participating restaurants can see the message “autonomous vehicles may deliver your order” on the outlet’s store front on the Uber Eats app.

If the customer is uncomfortable with the idea of a bot delivering their food, they could decline the option and choose a traditional delivery. If they opt for the bot, they can then track its progress on the app to ensure that they are ready for its arrival.

Once the bot reaches its location, the customer receives a notification and can then go outside to meet it and retrieve their food by tapping ‘unlock’ in the app and opening the bot’s hatch.

Related:Uber to Offer Even More Self-Driving Taxis, Delivery Robots

One bonus of this system is that there is no requirement to tip, and as with other Uber Eats deliveries, the experience can be rated in the app.

The operational zone is concentrated in the heart of the city for now – and includes favorite outlets such as Salsa Limón and Bread Zeppelin Salads – but Avride and Uber Eats are promising the coverage area will be expanded, and serviced by more bots, in due course.

Avride, which is based in Austin, but essentially started life as the Yandex Self-Driving Group in Russia in 2017, has invested heavily in its bots, and recently unveiled a new model that showcased an array of advances. These included an increase in wheels (from four to six), enhanced maneuverability, superior efficiency and greater average speeds, particularly in high pedestrian traffic areas.

The investment in the technology is paying off, with the company already earmarking its next potential operational area in Jersey City, following the Dallas launch.

In addition to its partnership with Uber Eats, Avride has inked a deal to provide Hyundai IONIQ 5 self-driving taxis via Uber in Dallas, with the cabs set to join the ride-hailing platform there in 2025.