Grubhub announced today that it's deploying Yandex Self-Driving Group's robot delivery technology, also called rovers, on the University of Arizona's campus. This will be the second campus rolling out this delivery option from Grubhub and Yandex this fall, following Ohio State University.
More than 35,000 students will be able to order their foods from on-campus dining locations – including IQ Fresh, Einstein Bros Bagels, On Deck Deli and Sabor – via the Grubhub app and have it delivered by one of the rovers. Yandex's third-generation robots autonomously navigate pavements, campus crosswalks, and pedestrian areas at speeds between 3 to 5 miles per hour during daytime and after dark and in various weather conditions, including rain, wind, and heat. The rovers operate seven days a week, and students can request delivery to dormitories, Main and Weaver library, McKale Center, and more.
"Our ongoing partnership with Grubhub, and now Yandex, continues to strengthen and bring cool new innovation to our campus," said Todd Millay, executive director of Arizona Student Unions, in a statement. "We're lucky to be the second school in the nation to launch with Grubhub's new robot delivery service, and we can't wait for our students to enjoy the convenience of this amazing technology."
Features of the third-generation robots include removable batteries that take less than a minute to replace, additional cameras, a new design that boasts increased robot capacity, LED headlights, and softer suspension - making it easier for the robots to traverse challenging terrain, such as high curbs.
Related: Demand for Robots in Foodservice Grows; Instacart Introduces Robotics Solution.