Delivery startup DoorDash is rolling out delivery-by-robot in Redwood City, Calif. A spokesman said Monday that the company hoped to formally begin robot deliveries in Washington, D.C., where it has also been testing the concept, "later this month."

BuzzFeed News was the first to report the California news.

Why it matters: The use of robots is part of a new frontier in the crowded delivery space, with companies like Yelp and Postmates also looking to get in on the trend. Plus, it underscores the potential for a new wave of automation to change the workforce.