DoorDash launches robot deliveries in LA and Chicago

This move builds upon a prior successful pilot program conducted by Wolt, DoorDash’s international subsidiary, in Helsinki, Finland, where Coco robots reportedly completed over 100,000 deliveries. The expansion into the US market signifies a growing trend towards automated delivery solutions.

While the introduction of robots into the delivery process reduces the need for human gig workers, it offers environmental benefits through emissions-free operation. Harrison Shih, Senior Director of DoorDash Labs, pointed out the logic behind this shift, stating that “not every delivery needs a two-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches,” highlighting the efficiency of smaller, robotic alternatives for certain orders.

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This initiative is part of DoorDash’s broader strategy towards “multimodal” deliveries. This approach aims to integrate human workers, drones (through their partnership with Wing in the US and Australia), and autonomous robots to effectively manage increasing delivery demand while simultaneously lowering operational costs and reducing carbon emissions.

DoorDash is not alone in exploring the potential of robotic delivery. Other major players in the delivery service landscape are also experimenting with similar technologies. Grubhub has recently begun deploying delivery robots on college campuses, and Uber Eats has expanded its autonomous delivery initiatives into Japan, indicating a widespread interest in the automation of last-mile delivery services.