Miami's newest robot fleet handles UberEats deliveries
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Photo: Courtesy of Serve Robotics
A new fleet of autonomous food delivery robots just launched in Miami through a partnership with UberEats.
Why it matters: Serve Robotics, which recently began operating on the sidewalks of Miami Beach and Brickell, says its hope is to reduce traffic congestion and car emissions.
- Its tagline: "Why deliver 2-pound burritos in 2-ton cars?"
Driving the news: The electric delivery robots — which specialize in short-distance "last mile" trips — are available for orders at participating Mister 01 and Shake Shack locations.
Zoom in: Serve says its robots can travel up to 11 mph and haul up to 15 gallons of food — or four 16-inch pizzas — in its insulated cargo hold.
What they're saying: Ali Kashani, CEO of Serve Robotics, tells Axios the robots will, at least "for the foreseeable future," have a net positive impact on job growth, including among delivery drivers.
- Delivery robots, which don't ask for tips, will make deliveries cheaper, increasing demand among consumers and leading to more human and robotic delivery jobs, Kashani says.
- "Most people today don't do deliveries as much as they want," he said, citing high costs.
The other side: The launch raises questions about the proliferation of electric vehicles that congest our sidewalks.
- Lincoln Road, the pedestrian promenade where Serve now operates, restricts bicycle riding before 9am and bans recreational motorized vehicles. The city has some exceptions, including for "service vehicles authorized by the city."
Catch up quick: Serve is the latest robot delivery company to launch in Miami. The city has also been a testing hub for self-driving cars.
- UberEats launched a separate pilot program in Dadeland back in 2022.
- Tiny Mile's small, pink robots hit downtown's streets in 2023.
What's next: The autonomous ride-hailing company Waymo is testing its vehicles in Miami with the goal of launching service in 2026.
Go deeper: We ordered UberEats from Miami's new delivery robots