The UAE has introduced the country’s first autonomous food delivery robots, named “talabots,” to serve approximately 300 homes across a specific residential area in Dubai Silicon Oasis. Developed by Talabat, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority, and Dubai Integrated Economic Zones Authority, this three-month pilot programme aims to expand delivery service options in the region.
After a successful trial during Expo 2020, the project will now operate seven delivery robots, which collect food from Starbucks, Oregano, and Lebanese restaurant On the Wood at the Cedre Villas community centre. Customers can use the Talabat app to order robot-delivered food that typically takes up to 15 minutes to arrive. The robots are equipped with radar and ladar operating systems, enabling them to navigate other vehicles, kerbs, and other obstacles.
The robots are designed to operate within a gated community and share road space with other vehicles. Customers can track their deliveries through the app and use a unique access code to collect their orders from the temperature-controlled unit inside the robot. Maria Estevan, the director of special projects at Talabat, has stated that the technology has shown people are engaging with the robots and that the project is the next test outside of the Expo, which will operate within a 4.8km radius of the restaurants.
