Uber Eats launches two autonomous delivery pilot programs in Los Angeles

Uber Eats is launching two pilot autonomous delivery programs in Los Angeles, one with robots from Serve Robotics and one with cars from Motional.

Uber Eats is launching not one, but two pilot pickup programs in Los Angeles, according to TechCrunch. The first is through a partnership with Motional, announced last December, with an autonomous vehicle. The second is with sidewalk delivery company Serve Robotics, which was born out of Uber.

Uber Eats launches two autonomous delivery pilot programs in Los Angeles

These tests will be very limited, with supplies from only a few outlets, including juices and Keartion coffee. Serve operates very short trips in West Hollywood, while Motional operates in Santa Monica. “From these two pilots, we will learn what customers really want, what merchants really want, and what makes sense for delivery,” an Uber spokesperson told TechCrunch.

Uber will reportedly charge for deliveries made by Serve. However, delivering autonomous vehicles in California requires a permit that Motional would not have. Therefore, customers should not be charged for them at this time. In addition, a human operator will take control once the vehicle arrives close to its destination, “to ensure a smooth and convenient experience for customers,”the spokesman added.

One with robots from Serve Robotics, the other with machines from Motional

Serve robots, for their part, will be able to work almost autonomously, but in certain situations, such as when crossing the street, operators will take control.

Customers living in certain areas will be able to deliver food in an unmanned vehicle and will be able to track the delivery. When it arrives, they’ll unlock the car with a code to pick up their order, whether it’s the trunk of a Serve robot or the back of a Motional car. “The idea is that [these tests] have been successful and that over the next few months we will figure out how to expand this network.”