In a groundbreaking collaboration, Uber Eats, along with Mitsubishi Electric and autonomous robotics startup Cartken, is set to launch a cutting-edge delivery service in select areas of Tokyo by the end of March. This marks the first international expansion for Uber and Cartken, with Mitsubishi Electric overseeing operations in the Japanese capital.
Uber and Cartken, already collaborating in the United States with delivery services in Fairfax, Virginia, and Miami, are taking their autonomous delivery efforts to new heights with this venture. The addition of Mitsubishi Electric, a leading company in the industry, emphasizes the strategic importance of this innovative partnership.
Cartken’s Model C, an autonomous sidewalk robot equipped with a 27-liter cargo bin, will be at the heart of this delivery service. Traveling at a speed of approximately 3.3 miles per hour, the robot is armed with advanced sensors, including cameras and software, enabling it to detect, perceive, and navigate its surroundings efficiently. To ensure seamless operations, Cartken has implemented a teleoperations interface, allowing remote monitoring and guidance by workers if required.
An Uber spokesperson revealed that the specific operating hours for the service would be disclosed closer to the launch date, emphasizing the imminent nature of this groundbreaking initiative. The collaboration aims to tackle logistical challenges head-on, providing an effective and futuristic solution to the evolving demands of the food delivery industry.
Shoji Tanaka, Senior General Manager of Mitsubishi Electric’s Advanced Application Development Center, expressed optimism about the impact of robot delivery services on addressing future logistics challenges. Tanaka stated, “We hope that this newly announced initiative will serve as a catalyst for the spread of robot delivery services in Japan. In the future, we will work with buildings and factory infrastructure, which is one of our strengths, so autonomous robots will be able to deliver inside various facilities.”
As Uber Eats, Cartken, and Mitsubishi Electric embark on this transformative venture, the integration of self-driving sidewalk robots into Tokyo’s bustling food delivery scene is poised to set a new standard for efficiency and innovation.
