The Domino's DRU might look like a regular robot vehicle, but the friendly autonomous unit is actually harboring hot pizzas underneath its hood. DRU -- which stands for Domino's Robotic Unit -- is being test run in Brisbane, Australia where the device is operating semi-autonomously currently to ensure proper operation.
Developed in collaboration with Marathon Robotics, an Australian startup, the unit can travel at speeds up to 20kmh and be purchased for $30,000. Being that pizza delivery as is stands as a relatively inefficient practice, the DRU robot vehicle could help to change the way we think about deliveries in general.
DRU features complex engineering that allows it to be easily tracked, follow a set route and, of course, avoid obstacles such as pedestrians and cars.
Pizza-Delivering Robots
The Domino's DRU Robot Vehicle Delivers Pizza in Brisbane
Trend Themes
1. Autonomous Delivery Robots - With the successful testing of DRU in delivering pizzas autonomously, businesses could explore using similar robots for deliveries in other industries.
2. Robotic Food Delivery - The DRU robot's ability to efficiently deliver hot foods like pizzas could spark innovation in the way other food businesses explore using autonomous vehicles for deliveries.
3. Obstacle-avoiding Robots - The complex obstacle-avoidance programming of the DRU robot presents an opportunity for businesses to explore developing similar robots for use in industries such as logistics and transportation.
Industry Implications
1. Food Delivery - The DRU robot's success in delivering pizzas presents an opportunity for food delivery companies to explore incorporating autonomous delivery robots to improve delivery efficiency.
2. Logistics - The use of autonomous delivery robots like DRU in logistics could increase efficiency and reduce operational costs for businesses in the industry.
3. Transportation - Businesses in transportation could explore using obstacle-avoiding robots similar to DRU to improve safety on the roads and reduce the risk of accidents.