Just Eat is taking food delivery to a whole new level. The food delivery company is partnering with Estonia-based Starship Technologies, a startup launched by Skype’s cofounders, to tap into autonomous robot technology to deliver food to its customers.
The self-driving robot runs on six wheels and is equipped with 9 cameras, ultrasonic sensors, and a braking mechanism. Upon arrival at its destination, the customer can then enter a security code to obtain their ordered meal. The robot can go as far as a mile and is constantly monitored by human operators.
The unmanned nature of the robotic delivery system raises questions as to its reliability. What is to stop a thief or a vandal from attacking the defenseless robot? Starship Technologies in an interview in 2015 addressed this question by pointing out that the robot is equipped with theft-prevention features such as cameras and sensors. They claimed that breaking into it is “as difficult as breaking into a car.”
A handful of restaurants will be participating in its trial run, which is expected to be launched within the next few months.
