Starting Thursday, the robots will handle select Uber Eats grocery deliveries to several restaurants in Fairfax’s bustling Mosaic neighborhood.
Developed and operated by AI robotics company Cartken, the robots resemble a large refrigerator with six wheels, headlights, and an orange flag sticking out for visibility.
Enough for about two shopping bags. Uber Eats customers can follow the robot’s progress in the app like a regular delivery man. Once the robot arrives, the customer is asked to unlock the robot over the phone and place an order. Customers can opt out if they don’t want the robot to bring them food.
Five local retailers including Pupatella, Our Mom Eugenia, and RASA, an Indian fast-casual spot —are currently participating in the pilot.
There are about 40 restaurants in the Mosaic District, which “gives Uber and Cartken the opportunity to serve a diverse group of merchants and delight more consumers as the program expands,” the statement said.
Robots that deliver groceries to food delivery people have been with the company for a long time. The General Assembly passed legislation in 2017 allowing autonomous delivery robots.
New grocery delivery robots aren’t the first robots to be tested in Fairfax County. The county has a driverless car service that connects the Mosaic district to the tube station, although the bus only runs on the street when it’s not raining or snowing. (Robots! They’re just like us!)
Postmen in Germany have developed a fleet of delivery robots in D.C in 2017. Another local treat in our robot future was a driverless car cruising on National Landing and sadly a water pit for a security robot in Georgetown.
Uber has already piloted robotic meal deliveries in Miami with Cartken and other partnerships in Los Angeles, Houston and Mountain View, California.
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