Just Eat Takeaway.com is testing autonomous ground robots for food delivery in Zurich, becoming the first European on-demand delivery company to trial wheeled-legged robotics using Physical AI. The pilot is in partnership with Swiss robotics company RIVR and aims to enhance delivery efficiency through automation technologies.
The RIVR robot combines wheels for smooth travel and legs for climbing stairs and curbs. It can operate in all weather conditions at a speed of 15 km/h and has a 40-litre cargo space with an internal divider. The robot uses Physical AI to navigate urban environments, avoiding obstacles and interacting with pedestrians, vehicles, and cyclists safely.
The pilot involves real food orders from Zekis World, where the robot acts like a courier with a secure locking system for delivery handovers. Restaurants load orders into the robot, which the customer unlocks upon arrival.
Deliveries are monitored in real-time by a remote operations center, with the robot capable of stopping automatically or by remote command during emergencies. It is equipped with lights and a flag for visibility.
Joerg Gerbig, COO of Just Eat Takeaway.com, stated that automation is key to enhancing service and customer experience. Marko Bjelonic, CEO of RIVR, expressed that this collaboration showcases how automation can integrate into cities, enabling efficient, safe, and human-centered autonomous delivery.
Just Eat Takeaway.com plans to expand robotic deliveries to other European cities and include retail and convenience store deliveries, building on their previous drone delivery pilot in Ireland as part of their strategy to improve operational efficiency with automation.