Robot deliveries are set to be trialled in Nottingham as part of a new partnership between Deliveroo and Coco Robotics.
The companies have announced plans to introduce autonomous deliveries in several UK towns and cities, with the service launching first in Canary Wharf, London, this October.
Nottingham is due to follow, with further launches planned in Milton Keynes, Leeds and Stockton-on-Tees over the coming weeks and months.
The rollout marks Coco Robotics’ entry into the UK and will also be the first time Deliveroo has used autonomous delivery vehicles in this country.
Coco operates pavement delivery robots in the US and Europe. The company said its UK expansion would include investment in depots and charging facilities, as well as jobs in operations, maintenance and logistics.
Mayor of the East Midlands Claire Ward welcomed Nottingham’s inclusion in the pilot.
She said: “Coco Robotics’ UK launch is an excellent opportunity to bring new technology into the region, and we are delighted that Nottingham will host a pilot scheme.
“We look forward to working with them to explore the potential for autonomous delivery and the benefits it could bring to businesses, residents and the region as a whole.”
How the delivery robots will work
Deliveroo said its existing rider network will continue to fulfil the majority of orders, with the robots providing an additional option for shorter journeys.
Coco’s fully electric robots are designed to travel at walking pace on pavements and carry orders directly to customers.
The companies said the technology could provide additional delivery capacity for restaurants and shops using Deliveroo.
Coco also has a partnership with accessibility app BlindSquare. Data gathered by its robots about pavement hazards can be shared with the app to alert blind and partially sighted pedestrians to obstacles.
Miki Kuusi, chief executive officer of Deliveroo, said: “We see huge potential in autonomous delivery and we are looking forward to working with Coco to bring more flexibility to our delivery network, helping local restaurants and shops meet increasing consumer demand.
“We firmly believe that robot and drone technology should benefit high street businesses of all sizes, helping them remain competitive and meet consumers in new ways.”
Zach Rash, co-founder and chief executive officer of Coco Robotics, said the company was “thrilled” to be launching in the UK with Deliveroo.
He said: “The interest here has been incredible and we’re committed to building something that creates lasting value for local merchants and the communities they serve.
“As we expand further across the UK, we look forward to giving more businesses another reliable delivery option and more communities access to the kind of infrastructure that makes delivery work better for everyone.”
No specific launch date, operating area or number of robots for the Nottingham pilot was included in the announcement.
