Uber, Mitsubishi Electric, and Cartken unveil a groundbreaking service in Tokyo, launching end of March. Using Cartken's Model C robots, they aim to tackle the logistics crisis with innovative solutions.
In the heart of Tokyo, a futuristic scene unfolds as Uber Eats, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric and Cartken, launches a service that feels straight out of a sci-fi novel. Imagine a world where your sushi arrives, not on the back of a moped, but within the cold, unfeeling (yet incredibly efficient) bin of a sidewalk robot. These aren't your average Joe robots but the brainchildren of ex-Google engineers, boasting insulated cargo bins and a snazzy set of sensors.
Cartken's Model C, the star of this robotic show, cruises at a leisurely 3.3 mph. It's decked out with cameras and advanced software to navigate the urban jungle. Mitsubishi Electric's oversight ensures smooth operations, with a teleoperations interface for those just-in-case moments. "An effective countermeasure to the logistics crisis," as Mitsubishi's Shoji Tanaka puts it. Our delivery future is looking up—or at least, autonomously sideways.
This isn't just a local Tokyo tale; it's a global narrative. Uber Eats and Cartken are already delivering the future in Fairfax, Virginia, and Miami. But Tokyo? That's their first international stage. Anjali Jindal Naik of Cartken dreams big, envisioning a world where robot delivery is as commonplace as sushi in Japan. And with partnerships like Mitsubishi Electric, that future is rushing towards us faster than a Model C on a mission.
As we stand on the brink of this new era, we're left to ponder: what does the future hold for food delivery? With Tokyo as the proving ground, Uber Eats and its partners are setting the stage for a world where robots mingle with humans, delivering our meals with precision and efficiency. "Redefining the future of food delivery," says Naik, and frankly, I'm here for it. Robot delivery is not just a solution to the logistics crisis; it's the dawn of a new era in convenience.
❓ Will robots replace all delivery drivers?
Each week we select most important sector news and statistic
so that you can be up to speed