Dubai trials food delivery robots

Food delivery robots will walk the streets of a gated community in Dubai as part of a pilot programme to bolster sustainable last-mile delivery.

#RTA in partnership with Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and talabat UAE, today announced the pilot launch of autonomous food delivery robots, also known as ‘talabots’, in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), https://t.co/6pqh6VIL3f@TalabatUAE @diezaofficial pic.twitter.com/5DeDAoVICS

— RTA (@rta_dubai) February 15, 2023

Three of the food delivery robots, known as talabots, will serve residents of Cedre Villas, a gated community in Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO). Talabots will travel within a three-kilometre radius from the Cedre shopping centre launch point to ensure a 15-minute delivery time.

Dubai’s Roads & Transport Authority in partnership with Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority (DIEZ) and talabat UAE, announced the pilot launch on Wednesday.

The robots will transport orders from nearest restaurant partners to the residential neighbourhood of Cedre Villas. The robots have no facial recognition detection feature, and will protect people’s identities by blurring their faces.

The robots are also fitted with in-built sensors and algorithms that can gauge surroundings and detect barriers in their pathway, keeping a safe distance from toddlers and pets.

With talabat’s app interface fully integrated, customers will be able to track the robot’s journey and will be notified through the app when it arrives at their property. Recipients will be able to unlock the talabot’s compartment upon arrival by following the steps provided within the app.

Talabat had partnered with Terminus Group to first launch autonomous delivery robots at Expo 2020 Dubai. The robots transported orders from Talabat’s cloud kitchen to customers in designated drop-off points at the Expo site.

“We are excited and proud to unveil our fleet of talabots, which witnessed great success when they were first introduced in Expo 2020 Dubai,” noted Tatiana Rahal, managing director at talabat UAE.

The pilot launch is part of the entities’ joint efforts to encourage the use of zero-emission modes of delivery, which is in line with Dubai’s efforts to transform 25 per cent of all transport to smart and driverless by 2030.

Read: Dubai’s new self driving strategy approved

“Smart mobility is one of the six pillars of DSO’s Smart City Strategy, which is at the core of piloting carbon-neutral delivery robots in a closely monitored and controlled environment within the hi-tech park,” said Dr Juma Al Matrooshi, director general of Dubai Silicon Oasis.