Kiwibot, a robotic delivery service that has completed over 150,000 food deliveries with semi-autonomous robots, is launching its next-generation Kiwibot 4.0.
The robots are already cruising the streets of Santa Monica, and by the beginning of May 2021, for those who order through local Shopify-powered portals, the service will extend across Los Angeles, San Jose, Miami, Pittsburg, and Detroit.
Kiwibot’s next-generation robot will use a whole new set of cameras, lights, speakers, and modular features to enhance robot-human interaction – it can even wink. These upgraded Level-3 autonomous devices are equipped with high-tech sensors to detect people, traffic lights, vehicles, and take decisions in path planning and obstacle avoidance. Additionally, they are supported remotely by trained human supervisors to cross streets and stop immediately to ensure safe operations, stated Kiwibot.
Whether ordering from local businesses, university campuses, airports, or malls, food and drinks can be requested via Shopify web portals, then Kiwibots will meet customers up to a mile away and serve with a smile. The average delivery takes 30 minutes and costs $1.99, and the robot won’t be expecting a tip.
Robotic deliveries may have been easy to dismiss as curiosities when Kiwibot launched in 2017 in Berkeley but, these robotic technologies have now proved they can provide customers with the convenience they deserve.
Felipe Chávez Cortés, CEO and co-founder of Kiwibot, says he recognizes that the idea of a company planning to “deploy tens of thousands of adorable robots” sounds rather futuristic. He aspires to educate the general population during the keynote about integrating robots into communities so that food delivery is available for everyone at low costs.
Today, Kiwibot’s offices span California, Medellín, in Colombia, and Taipei, in Taiwan to carry out design, production, and assembly. The company is enthusiastic about leveraging the top talent across the United States.
Kiwibot says it prides itself on its ability to mesh seamlessly with communities, with a satisfaction rate above 90 percent, and aligns with partners who share their vision to integrate technology safely and sustainably in urban areas.
During Kiwibot’s trial-and-error piloting, the manufacturing partnership with Segway will improve the robot capabilities while the pilots with Chick-fil-A, a quick-service restaurant that has experienced a major increase in delivery demand over the last year, evaluated the impact of robots on customer experience. The robots are designed to reduce waste, with reusable batteries, cut carbon emissions, and be upgraded to extend their operational usage.
The company is aiming to be the biggest robotic fleet in the world and build an ecosystem to serve college campuses. For Kiwibot, the pandemic has further proven that food delivery is no longer a luxury – it’s a key part of thriving in an ever-changing world.
