Uber Eats and Avride have launched food delivery robots in Jersey City, marking the technology’s first deployment on the East Coast.
The expansion is part of a multiyear partnership between Uber and Avride, which has already introduced autonomous delivery in other cities such as Austin and Dallas.
Avride’s robots have a 31-mile range per charge and can travel up to 5 mph. The company says they are designed to operate in various weather conditions, including snow and rain.
Customers ordering from participating restaurants on Uber Eats will have the option to select robot delivery. The service will operate daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. in downtown Jersey City, including Hamilton Park, Historic Downtown, and the Waterfront.
Participating restaurants include Jiangnan, Rumi Turkish Grill, Downtown Yogurt Jersey City, Gulp, Amiya, and Short Grain, with more expected to join.
The robots can be tracked in real time via the Uber Eats app. Customers receive a notification when the robot arrives and can unlock the hatch to retrieve their order. No tipping is required.
Uber says the expansion is part of its broader effort to integrate autonomous and electric mobility solutions.
“We look forward to continuing to integrate cutting-edge technology into the Uber Eats experience while working closely with the greater Jersey City community,” said Noah Zych, Uber’s global head of autonomous mobility and delivery operations.
Uber now operates autonomous delivery programs in 11 cities with six partners and plans to expand further.
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.