From PhillyVoice · · 3m
Philly delivery robots expand to Grubhub
Philly gets more food delivery robots from Grubhub and Wonder.
In brief
Philly gets more food delivery robots from Grubhub and Wonder. Philly will start using Avride's delivery robots for Grubhub orders from Wonder food hall. Originally reported by PhillyVoice.
Avride expands delivery service
Avride, the company that provides autonomous delivery robots for Uber Eats in Philadelphia, will expand its presence in the city through a new deal with Grubhub and Wonder food hall.
Wonder acquired Grubhub
Wonder acquired Grubhub two years ago and will use Avride's robots to fetch meals ordered on Grubhub from Wonder food hall and other restaurants.
Grubhub uses Avride robots
Grubhub started using Avride's robots last year as part of a test program in Jersey City and will expand to Hoboken, New Jersey, and Arlington County, Virginia.
Restaurant opt-in for robots
Restaurants that use the Grubhub marketplace can opt in to Avride's robot delivery service for customers ordering within the company's service areas.
Robot delivery expansion
Wonder and Avride expect dozens of new restaurants to start sending out orders with robots in Philly and three other new markets.
Grubhub campus delivery
Grubhub already uses Avride to deliver food on about 25 college campuses across the country, though none are in the Philly region.
Robot incidents in Philly
The arrival of Avride in Philly has not been smooth, with videos posted on social media showing robots targeted on streets and sidewalks.
Woman blocked by robot
In May, an Avride robot bumped into a woman on a sidewalk in Center City, prompting a frustrating effort for her to report what happened.
Retired professor blocks robot
Retired Penn professor Carolyn Marvin was arrested for blocking an Uber Eats delivery robot in Center City, saying she's been disrupting the robots for months in protest of the technology's displacement of human delivery workers.
Avride response to incidents
An Avride spokesperson told the New York Post that vandalism incidents did not affect service area expansion plans and robots are designed to respond conservatively.
Robot speed limits
State law classifies delivery robots as pedestrians with a speed limit of 12 mph on sidewalks and 25 mph on roadways.
Wonder's expansion
Wonder has expanded to 16 locations since opening its first at a Walmart in Quakertown two years ago, with six outposts in Philadelphia including one in Center City.
Robot delivery impact
Wonder and Avride expect dozens of new restaurants to start sending out orders with robots in Philly and three other new markets, expanding the service area.
What matters most
Philly will start using Avride's delivery robots for Grubhub orders from Wonder food hall.
