Deliveroo to launch robot deliveries in the UK
Deliveroo is set to bring robot deliveries to the UK through a new strategic partnership.
The service will launch in London’s Canary Wharf this October before expanding to Milton Keynes, Leeds, Stockton-on-Tees and Nottingham in the coming weeks and months.
Subscribe to TRBConsumers will initially be able to order from brands including burger brand Patty & Bun, independent bakery Signorelli, and café and restaurant Beam in Wood Wharf, Canary Wharf. The service area will expand to include more merchants at a later stage to include the likes of Ole & Steen, Royal China and Din Tai Fung.
Deliveroo will use Coco Robotic’s delivery robots as part of the company’s wider expansion across Europe. The launch will be supported by local investment in UK operational infrastructure, creating new skilled jobs in operations, maintenance and logistics across each region, as well as new depot and charging facilities.
The move forms part of Deliveroo’s strategy to develop a multi-modal last-mile delivery approach by scaling new delivery methods for consumers and merchants. While the majority of orders will continue to be fulfilled by Deliveroo’s rider network, Coco’s fully electric robots will be used for short-distance deliveries and to navigate urban environments.
Through its partnership with BlindSquare, Coco will also share real-time data on pavement hazards identified by its robots. This will enable the company to update its app to help alert blind and partially sighted pedestrians to obstacles ahead.
Miki Kuusi, chief execitive at Deliveroo and head of DoorDash International, said: “London is where Deliveroo was born, so it feels fitting that we’re launching our first UK autonomous delivery service with Coco Robotics here before expanding our exclusive partnership to more towns and cities nationwide, building on our partnership in other geographies.
“We see huge potential in autonomous delivery and we are looking forward to working with Coco to bring more flexibility to our delivery network, helping local restaurants and shops meet increasing consumer demand. We firmly believe that robot and drone technology should benefit High Street businesses of all sizes, helping them remain competitive and meet consumers in new ways.”
