Serve Robotics and delivery platform DoorDash launched Australia's first footpath robot delivery service in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct on October 29. The pilot began with Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers in Southport. It is Serve's first operation outside the United States.
How the pilot works
Customers can opt in or out of robot delivery in the DoorDash app. The robots travel at walking pace and give way to pedestrians. Trained remote supervisors can help when needed.
Serve's footprint
Serve spun off from Uber in 2021. It has deployed more than 2,000 robots across the United States. The company reaches about 3 million people and supports delivery for more than 4,000 restaurants.
What customers get
When a nearby merchant participates, robot delivery appears as an option at checkout. The robot collects the order and travels along the footpath to the customer's address. Customers get a notification and a unique code to open the secure compartment.
More local restaurants will join the pilot in the coming weeks. Future expansion will depend on feedback from the community. Serve and Griffith University are exploring internship opportunities in robotics, autonomy operations, and field engineering.