A generation of kids grew up hoping robots would one day become commonplace. From movies like "Terminator" to "Wall-E," the technology of robots has played an outsized role on the big screen and in our imaginations. But more and more, they are finally becoming a part of daily life, and the ramifications are huge.
A prime example is the partnership between Uber Eats and Coco Robotics. The companies recently introduced a pilot program where emissions-free robots will deliver food orders in Miami, according to Chain Store Age. The plan is to start with the Wynwood and downtown areas of Miami and then expand throughout more neighborhoods.
This follows the successful introduction of robot deliveries in Los Angeles by Uber Eats. The company estimated that over 500,000 orders have already been delivered via robot. And this is only one of several Uber Eats robotics partnerships. It has also paired up with Serve Robotics to deliver Shake Shack and a few different companies that use electric driverless cars to complete their orders.
This is wonderful news for both consumers and the environment. Consumers save money, as robots do not expect any tips. And emissions-free deliveries limit the amount of dirty fuel, such as oil and gas, being burned, which pollutes our air and damages our ecosystems.
Incredibly, this is just the latest use of high-tech robots to help mitigate and solve complex environmental problems. A company called Ecoppia is using cutting-edge robots to clean large-scale solar panels without using water. And elsewhere, robots have been used for everything from cleaning up harmful microplastics in waterways to separating recyclables and even picking up cigarette butts.
Understandably, Uber executives are ecstatic about the expansion. "Autonomous delivery is a key part of our vision for the future of delivery," said head of autonomous delivery operations Megan Jensen.
Zach Rash, co-founder and CEO of Coco Robotics, focused on the environmental benefits: "Our expansion launch with Uber Eats marks a milestone in our mission to create a more sustainable and efficient delivery ecosystem."
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