Developed together with a startup from Australia, Marathon
Robotics, a robot named DRU (Domino's Robotic Unit) is created to help the
delivery service in urban areas. A wide variety of designs have been tried,
until finally they choose this final design.
DRU is a four-wheeled robot that's equipped with heating and
cooling chambers for storing boxes of pizza and beverage bottles. When the
robot has arrived at the destination, the consumers just need to enter the
password and the order can be taken from the inside of compartment.
The robot doesn't require the intervention of humans in
performing its duties. Its GPS navigation system is guided by Google Maps,
while the LIDAR technology is embedded so that it could avoid the obstacles
during the trip. DRU has a maximum speed of about 19 km/h, which is why it is
more intended for urban areas.
Basically DRU is pretty similar with the delivery robot that
has been developed by Starship Technologies. The difference is the DRU is
devoted for pizza delivery, that's why this robot is equipped with heating and
cooling systems.
Domino's hasn't explained when exactly DRU will be
officially operated, so far the robot has been tested in a number of areas in
Australia, but according to the plan, DRU will become the member of delivery
service team of Domino's Pizza.
Domino's will not replace its employees with the DRU; this
robot will become complementary in improving delivery service performance
rather than take over the role of humans.