Just Eat has launched a trial of four-legged delivery robots in Milton Keynes, as well as a concurrent trial of wheeled delivery robots in Bristol.
The aggregator app will be working with 10 independent restaurant brands in the two cities.
The Rivr One ‘robo-dogs’ – which have appeared in Milton Keynes today – were first trialled by Just Eat in August in Zurich, Switzerland, where they have now completed 1,000 deliveries.
The robo-dogs can bound up staircases, reach speeds of 14km an hour, open gates, dodge (actual) dogs, carry 30kg of food, cover 30km on a single charge and cross the road safely.
They can also navigate autonomously from stores to a customer’s door in rain, sun or snow, and “master mobility, manipulation, and autonomy tasks in just days”. And all “without getting stuck”.
The robots launched in Bristol today come from UK robotics company Delivers.AI and are similar in form to the Starship delivery robots being used in several UK towns to deliver groceries for Co-op and other retailers.
The robots provide 90 litres of storage and can carry a payload of 35kg in all weathers.
“We’re always innovating to improve the delivery experience for our customers,” said Mert Öztekin, chief technology officer at Just Eat.
“To trial ground robotics we’ve teamed up with two expert organisations to ensure that we’re learning and working with the very best,” he added.
Just Eat said the launch of the trials had come “just in time” for Valentine’s Day, which historically saw an “uptick in demand” specifically for local independent restaurants.
“What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a robot delivery from your favourite local?” Öztekin added.
Oral Yigitkus, CTO and founder at Delivers.AI, said the trial was “an important step in demonstrating how Delivers.AI’s ground robotics technology can complement existing delivery networks, helping to improve reliability, urban logistics, and the overall customer experience while supporting local high streets.”
Marko Bjelonic, CEO of Rivr, said the expansion of the partnership with Just Eat was “an important step in scaling autonomous delivery across European cities”.
“By automating delivery right to the customer’s doorstep, our technology removes friction and creates a more seamless experience for consumers,” he said. “The launch in Milton Keynes reflects a shared focus on practical, automated delivery that integrates seamlessly into existing operations.”
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