Multinational food ordering business Just Eat is trialling an AI-driven robot for doorstop deliveries in Zurich, Switzerland.
The company, which is partnering with Swiss robotics company RIVR on the pilot, says that it is the first on-demand delivery service in Europe to pilot wheeled-legged hybrid robotics equipped with physical AI.
The ground robot, which operates at around 15km per hour, combine wheels for travel with legs for climbing stairs and curbs.
Functioning with physical AI, the robot can avoid obstacles and safely move around pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.
The trial will initially see the robot deliver real food orders from local restaurant Zekis in Switzerland’s largest city.
The company said that it plans to introduce the technology to other European cities later this year, with potential expansion into retail and convenience stores.
The move forms part of the business’ wider expansion of delivery options after announcing plans to roll out drone deliveries in Ireland earlier this year.
“At Just Eat Takeaway.com, our vision is to empower everyday convenience, and we believe automation is an important driver in bringing that vision to life,” said Joerg Gerbig, chief operating officer, Just Eat. “It drives our commitment to exploring, testing and integrating innovations and technologies, all aimed at enhancing our service and driving an even better experience for our ecosystem.”
Just Eat describes the robot handover process as similar to a courier delivery, with a secure locking system ensuring the safe deliver of the order.
The partner secures the order inside the 40-litre robot, and the customer unlocks the cargo bin after being notified of its arrival.
The announcement comes days after the European Commission officially gave the green light for Prosus’ €4.1 billion takeover of Just Eat.
The EU approval was the last regulatory clearance needed to complete the transaction, allowing Prosus to pursue its vision of transforming Europe’s largest food delivery company with AI.
The global consumer internet group said at the time that it has been working “constructively” with the European Commission during the past few months to obtain regulatory clearance.
In June, EU antitrust authorities expressed concerns about competition in the food delivery market, as Prosus currently holds a 27.4 per cent stake in Delivery Hero, a direct competitor of Just Eat in several EU countries, including Austria, Italy, Poland and Spain.
To address these concerns, agreed to significantly reduce its stake in Delivery Hero to a single-digit percentage within 12 months of the European Commission’s approval.
