Austin Welcomes New Autonomous Delivery Partnership
In an exciting development for Austin, Uber Technologies has teamed up with autonomous vehicle startup Avride to enhance delivery and mobility services through a new multiyear strategic partnership. This collaboration signifies a major step forward in integrating cutting-edge autonomous technology into the Uber platform, promising to change the way people think about deliveries and rides in the city.
Launch Plans for Sidewalk Delivery Robots
The partnership will kick off in the coming weeks with the introduction of Avride’s sidewalk delivery robots on the Uber Eats platform. Residents of Austin will soon experience the convenience of having their food delivered by these autonomous robots, which are designed to navigate sidewalks and deliver items directly to customers. Following the launch in Austin, the service will expand to Dallas and Jersey City, New Jersey, by the end of this year.
Future Plans for Ride-Hailing Services
In 2025, the partnership aims to take things a step further by incorporating Avride’s autonomous vehicles into Uber’s ride-hailing service in Dallas. When this integration becomes active, Uber Eats customers, as well as Uber riders, will have the choice to select an Avride delivery robot or an autonomous vehicle to fulfill their delivery or ride. This new feature is set to improve the overall user experience by providing smart and efficient alternatives to traditional delivery and ride options.
Innovative Technology from Avride
Avride is not new to the autonomous game; the company has already made its mark with successful commercial deliveries in the U.S. and South Korea. The startup, known for its dual expertise in autonomous cars and delivery robots, is actively testing its technology on public roads. This innovative shared technology allows Avride to provide seamless and scalable solutions for both mobility and delivery, making it an ideal partner for Uber as they explore new avenues for improving their services.
Statements from Company Leaders
“We are excited to partner with Uber as we scale our operations and work together to further improve the delivery experience for both consumers and merchants,” said Dmitry Polishchuk, CEO of Avride. He emphasized plans to expand the fleet of Avride robots operating within Uber Eats to hundreds by 2025, which is a clear indication of the ambitious goals set forth by the partnership.
Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi also expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Autonomous mobility and delivery hold a ton of promise for consumers and communities. We’re excited to partner with Avride to bring their technology to more people in more places as they continue to scale.”
Significance for the Future
This partnership highlights both Uber’s ongoing commitment to leveraging autonomous technology and Avride’s growing influence in the mobility and delivery markets. It represents a significant shift in how deliveries and rides could be handled in the future, with a focus on enhancing user experience and efficiency.
About Uber and Avride
Uber, established in 2010, aims to create opportunity through movement. With over 52 billion completed trips, the company consistently seeks new ways to meet the evolving needs of people and businesses. Meanwhile, Avride, based in Austin and founded in 2017, stands out as a leader in autonomous technology, emphasizing scalability and innovation to meet both current and future delivery and mobility demands.
As Austin prepares for these upcoming changes, residents can expect a more innovative, convenient, and efficient way to get their food delivered and to travel around the city.
