The city of Riverside and DoorDash announced a joint venture Monday that may lead to autonomous — robot — deliveries via motorized carts to residences and businesses in the future.
“Riverside is leading the way in building a connected, innovative and sustainable city,” Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson said in a statement. “Our partnership with DoorDash Labs reflects our vision to attract cutting-edge technology that strengthens our local economy, supports small businesses and improves quality of life for our residents.”
The partnership with DoorDash Labs stems from talks between the parent company, which dispatches independent drivers nationwide via the DD app to deliver food and other products, and the city’s Economic Development Team.
There is no revenue attached to the agreement.
The combined effort will entail municipal agencies collaborating with DoorDash Labs to identify safe means for initiating “autonomous delivery robots on Riverside’s streets,” according to a city statement.
The program is called “Dot.”
Proof-of-concept Dot demonstrations were conducted last week, during which the cart-size robot vehicles made pretend deliveries within a confined space, officials said.
“We’re proud to be working with the city to advance the future of autonomous deliveries,” DoorDash Labs Legislative Policy Adviser Henry Greenidge said. “Together, we can help shape a smarter and more sustainable future, where innovative technology like Dot can bring next-generation robotics out of the lab and into the community.”
The city views the public-private enterprise as an opportunity to “strengthen small-business growth.”
“It will also improve access to local restaurants and services, bringing tangible benefits to Riverside residents and small business owners alike,” the city stated.
There was no mention of prospective future impacts to the independent drivers who make DoorDash deliveries for money.