AI delivery robot speeds up food deliveries from Uber Eats
The new delivery robot from Serve Robotics contains more AI than before. For example, the robot can navigate to its destination more quickly.
The third generation of Serve Robotics' delivery robot features improved artificial intelligence and AI hardware.
(Image: Serve Robotics)
The delivery and robotics company Serve Robotics has given its third-generation delivery robot a major overhaul. Among other things, it has become more intelligent, has more storage space and range and can therefore deliver ordered food faster at a reduced cost. Uber Eats has ordered 2,000 of them in the USA, which are to be deployed in at least two cities by 2025.
Faster thanks to artificial intelligence
At the heart of the four-wheeled delivery robot's improvements is the use of Nvidia's Jetson Orin AI computer, which controls the autonomous mobile capabilities. The module quintuples the computing power compared to its predecessor. Together with the more powerful AI architecture from Serve Robotics, navigation decisions can be made faster than before. The use of the new REV7 digital lidar from Ouster and other improved sensors help with this.
The drivetrain has also been revised and the suspension of the wheels optimized. There is now less risk of drinks being spilled or goods bouncing around. The robot can also brake faster. An emergency stop should bring it to a halt 40 percent faster than before, according to Serve Robotics.
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The delivery robot can also travel twice as fast as its predecessor. It was only able to reach 9.6 km/h, now up to 19.3 km/h is possible. The range has also doubled. The operating time is extended by six hours a day before the robot has to return to the charging station.
Larger loading space
Serve Robotics has increased the loading volume by 15 percent. Four large 16-inch pizzas can now be transported in one go. The manufacturer has also worked on the outer shell and increased its water resistance. This means that the delivery robot can also be used in poor weather conditions without running the risk of breaking down.
Despite all the improvements, Serve Robotics claims to have halved the costs. This is probably one of the reasons why Uber Eats in the USA has ordered 2000 of the robots and plans to use them for food deliveries in 2025.
Production of the robots has already started at the Canadian company Magna. Further units of the delivery robot will be sent to Los Angeles. There, they are to be used by the Shake Shack restaurant chain and the 7-Eleven retail chain as well as a Metro store for deliveries.
(olb)
