Just Eat tests autonomous delivery robots in Zurich

The two-month test phase will take place in Zurich-Oerlikon, where the RIVR robot will deliver orders from the Zekisworld restaurant to Just Eat customers. During the first 30 days, a security expert from RIVR will accompany the deliveries. After that, the entire delivery process - from pick-up to delivery - is controlled remotely from the control center.

The RIVR floor robot travels at a speed of 15km/h. Unlike other robots, it combines wheels for efficient locomotion with legs to negotiate stairs and kerbs. Thanks to artificial intelligence, it recognizes its surroundings, avoids obstacles and manoeuvres safely around pedestrians, vehicles and cyclists.

For maximum safety, the robot can be stopped automatically or remotely in an emergency. In addition, lights and a flag ensure that it is clearly visible day and night. Thanks to its robust construction, the robot is ready for use in all weathers, whether it's rain, snow, intense heat or wind. With a capacity of 40 liters and a special inner wall that prevents food and drinks from leaking, it can also transport large orders reliably and safely.

The RIVR robot will initially deliver real food orders in Zurich from the restaurant Zekis World. As the first on-demand delivery company to test this type of ground robotics in Europe, parent company Just Eat Takeaway.com plans to roll out further robotic deliveries in other European cities later this year, with possible expansion into retail and convenience stores. Following the launch of the drone delivery service in Ireland in partnership with Manna, this is the next step to further increase operational efficiency.

"Our vision is to make everyday life more convenient for customers," says Lukas Streich, Managing Director of Just Eat Switzerland. "We believe that innovation is the key driver to make this a reality. It drives our commitment to researching, testing and integrating new services and technologies. All of this is aimed at improving our offering and creating an even better experience for our entire ecosystem."

Marko Bjelonic, Founder and CEO RIVR, adds: "The collaboration with Just Eat Takeaway.com gives a glimpse into a future where automation fits naturally into our cities and helps people get what they need, when they need it. Physical AI enables our robots to understand and adapt to the real world. This is a step towards making autonomous deliveries not only efficient, but also intuitive, safe and truly human-centric."