Miami is known for its nightlife, but you might be tempted to order in if your Uber Eats is delivered by a cute little robot.
Today, Uber announced its partnership with Cartken, a company that makes sidewalk delivery robots. Uber Eats has already rolled out sidewalk robot delivery in other places. In California, it’s partnered with Serve Robotics in West Hollywood, as well as Motional — an autonomous car company — in Santa Monica. And now Cartken’s robot fleet has brought the Uber Eats pilot to Miami.
Cartken currently delivers to a pedestrian mall called Downtown Dadeland and Miami’s Brickell neighborhood, along with Ohio State University and University of Arizona campuses. Through the Uber Eats network, Cartken will expand delivery service across Miami-Dade county and to other cities in 2023. When you order on the Uber Eats app you’ll be notified if it’s being delivered by robot.
The app gives you instructions on how to unlock the vehicle, and you can track its progress.
Besides the curious sight of a robot the size of a Radio Flyer wagon roaming along the sidewalk, automated deliveries have a lot to offer. “Together, we have the opportunity to reduce traffic congestion, help local merchants to increase delivery capacity, and bring consumers fast, convenient, and emission-free deliveries,” said Christian Bersch, Cartken co-founder and CEO.
Cartken’s robots have multiple sensors and cameras designed to avoid collisions and “choose routes which have the fewest hazards,” according to its website. Hopefully these can handle traffic better than this one in California that got a little confused while crossing an intersection.
