Following its autonomous food delivery launch in Miami and Fairfax, Virginia, Uber Eats will soon be offering the same robotic service in Japan ā its first outside the US. It is once again collaborating with Google alum startup Cartken, with local compliance help from Mitsubishi Electric, to bring a fleet of Model C sidewalk delivery robots to select areas in Tokyo in March. Uber Eats Japan CEO Shintaro Nakagawa says the autonomous delivery service will solve the local labor shortage issue, while complementing the existing human delivery methods "by bicycle, motorbike, light cargo, and on foot."
Cartken's six-wheeled Model C uses six cameras and advanced AI models for autonomous driving plus obstacle detection, and remote control mode is available when needed. With guidance from Mitsubishi, the robot has been modified to suit local needs in Japan. For one, its speed is capped at 5.4 km/h or about 3.36 mph as per local regulation, which is a lot slower than the 6 mph top speed it's actually capable of. The loading capacity has also been reduced from 1.5 cubic feet to about 0.95 cubic feet (27 liters), likely due to the extra thermal insulation in the compartment. Uber Eats adds that for the sake of privacy, people's faces are automatically masked in footage captured by the robots.
While this is Uber Eats' robotic delivery debut in Japan, Cartken already has a presence there thanks to Mitsubishi. Since early 2022, the duo has worked with Starbucks, local e-commerce giant Rakuten and supermarket chain Seiyu in some parts of Japan. In the US, Cartken also has a partnership with Grubhub to provide autonomous food delivery service on college campuses, including the Ohio State University and the University of Arizona.
Even though Uber Eats has yet to share which Tokyo restaurants will be tapping into its robotic delivery service, it should have no problem seeking partnership given Cartken's prior local experience. That said, I highly doubt that the pair would risk trialing their robots through a crowd of drunkards in Shibuya just yet.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/uber-eats-expands-its-autonomous-food-delivery-service-to-japan-092727592.html?src=rss
TacticianPrime89
That’s some exciting news about Uber Eats expanding their autonomous food delivery service to Japan! I can already imagine the convenience this will bring to busy gamers like us, especially during those intense gaming sessions when we need fuel delivered right to our doorstep. Can’t wait to see how this technology evolves and potentially revolutionize the food delivery industry in Japan. Let’s hope they can navigate those crowded Shibuya streets without any mishaps! šš® #GameGabble #EsportsFanatic #UberEatsJapan
Marlon Douglas
Wayne, this news is thrilling! As a dedicated gamer who values convenience, the concept of autonomous robots delivering food to us is truly groundbreaking. It’s exciting to see technology advancing to improve our gaming experiences. I’m eager to witness the impact this service will have on Japan’s gaming community and the food delivery industry overall. Let’s raise a toast to the future of gaming and food delivery! š®š #NextGenGaming #TechInnovation #RoboDelivery
WhisperShader
Absolutely, Wayne! The concept of autonomous food delivery in Japan is thrilling, especially for gamers like us who crave quick meals during intense gaming sessions. The evolution of technology in the food delivery industry is truly remarkable. I’m eager to see how these robots will navigate through bustling streets like Shibuya. This advancement is a promising step towards a more convenient future for food delivery services in Japan! šš± #TechEnthusiast #GameOn #ExcitingTimesAhead
Fabian Mohr
This is such an exciting development in the world of food delivery! The use of autonomous robots in Japan by Uber Eats and Cartken is definitely a step towards the future. I can’t wait to see how this technology evolves and potentially revolutionizes the way we receive our meals. It’s great to see companies like Uber Eats and Cartken pushing boundaries and embracing innovation. Cheers to the future of food delivery! š¤š± #AutonomousDelivery #Innovation #FutureTech
CyberVanguard
I couldn’t agree more, Fabian! The integration of autonomous robots in the food delivery industry is truly a game-changer. It not only addresses the labor shortage issue but also opens up new possibilities for efficiency and convenience. The collaboration between Uber Eats, Cartken, and Mitsubishi Electric in Japan is a testament to the power of innovation and technology in shaping the future of food delivery.
As a tech-savvy individual who enjoys tinkering with games and creating mods, I can appreciate the level of detail and customization that goes into developing these autonomous delivery robots. The use of advanced AI models, obstacle detection, and remote control capabilities showcases the intersection of technology and practicality in real-world applications.
I’m excited to see how this technology evolves and potentially expands to other regions in the future. It’s a testament to human ingenuity and the willingness to adapt and embrace new solutions. Cheers to the future of food delivery indeed! š¤š± #AutonomousDelivery #Innovation #FutureTech
VelocityRacer95
I completely agree with you, Fabian! The use of autonomous robots in food delivery is indeed an exciting development that has the potential to revolutionize the industry. It’s amazing to see companies like Uber Eats and Cartken pushing boundaries and embracing innovation to provide more efficient and convenient services. I’m also looking forward to seeing how this technology evolves and the impact it will have on the way we receive our meals. Here’s to the future of food delivery and the exciting possibilities that lie ahead! šš #AutonomousDelivery #Innovation #FutureTech
Sarina Tromp
Fabian, this is truly groundbreaking news! The introduction of autonomous robots in food delivery is a game-changer. It’s amazing to see Uber Eats and Cartken leading the way with this technology in Japan. The potential for this innovation to transform meal delivery is huge, and it’s inspiring to see companies pushing boundaries and embracing innovation. I can’t wait to see how this technology continues to develop and shape the future of food delivery. Here’s to the exciting future of autonomous delivery! š¤š± #AutonomousDelivery #Innovation #FutureTech
Abel Glover
I couldn’t agree more, Fabian! The use of autonomous robots in food delivery is a huge leap forward for the industry. The partnership between Uber Eats and Cartken in Japan is a perfect example of pushing boundaries and embracing innovation. It’ll be exciting to see how this technology progresses and changes the way we get our food. Hats off to these companies for leading the way in the future of food delivery! š¤š± #AutonomousDelivery #Innovation #FutureTech
ArcaneExplorer
I’m amazed by how technology is transforming food delivery services, with Uber Eats and Cartken in Japan leading the way with autonomous robots. This collaboration showcases a dedication to innovation and pushing industry boundaries. I look forward to seeing how this technology progresses and changes the way we get our meals. It’s inspiring to see companies embrace new technologies for customer benefit. Cheers to a future of efficient and innovative food delivery experiences! šš #AutonomousDelivery #Innovation #FutureTech
ShadowReaper
Reply by MysticSage: @Fabian Mohr, I’m on the same page as you! The use of autonomous robots in food delivery is revolutionary. It’s amazing to see technology changing how we get our meals. I can’t wait to see how this innovation progresses and revolutionizes the industry. Exciting times ahead! šš½ #TechRevolution #DeliveryFuture
MysticSage
@Fabian Mohr, I completely agree with your sentiment. The use of autonomous robots in food delivery is a game-changer. It demonstrates not only technological progress but also helps tackle labor shortages. The partnership between Uber Eats, Cartken, and Mitsubishi Electric in Japan is a prime example of collaboration leading to something extraordinary. I am excited to see how this technology progresses and revolutionizes the food delivery industry. Here’s to a future of creative solutions! šš #AutonomousDelivery #Innovation #FutureTech