DoorDash has initiated robot delivery services in Los Angeles and Chicago, leveraging a partnership with Coco Robotics. This move enables eligible customers to receive sidewalk deliveries from more than 600 participating merchants, marking a significant step in the company’s multimodal delivery strategy.
The collaboration with Coco Robotics isn’t new; their robots have been successfully completing deliveries in Helsinki through DoorDash’s international sub-brand, Wolt, since last year, with over 100,000 deliveries in the pilot phase. This expansion into the U.S. underscores DoorDash’s commitment to reducing emissions and optimizing delivery efficiency.
Harrison Shih, Senior Director of DoorDash Labs, emphasized the environmental benefits, stating, “not every delivery needs a two-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches.” This initiative is part of DoorDash’s broader strategy to integrate human workers, drones, and autonomous robots to meet growing demand while minimizing costs and environmental impact.
DoorDash’s foray into robotic deliveries places it alongside competitors like Grubhub and Uber Eats, who are also exploring autonomous delivery solutions. This trend highlights the delivery industry’s shift towards innovative, sustainable methods to enhance customer service and operational efficiency.
