Avride Teams Up with Rakuten to Introduce Sidewalk Delivery Bots in Tokyo, Bringing Faster and More Efficient Deliveries to Urban Customers
Tokyo is about to experience a new wave of convenience as Avride, an Austin-based autonomous vehicle startup, launches its sidewalk delivery bots in the city. In partnership with e-commerce giant Rakuten, Avride’s robots will begin delivering restaurant orders and groceries in central Tokyo this week, marking another major milestone in the company’s expansion into Northeast Asia.
Avride’s Growing Presence in Autonomous Deliveries
Avride, a spinout of Yandex, has been making significant strides in autonomous vehicle technology, focusing on both sidewalk delivery bots and self-driving cars. The company has already established a commercial presence in Seoul, South Korea, and has been steadily scaling up operations in the United States. Now, after completing the rigorous certification process in Japan, Avride is officially launching its commercial operations in the country.
How the Sidewalk Delivery Bots Work
To start, the company will deploy ten autonomous delivery bots in Tokyo, with plans to expand as demand grows. These bots are designed to efficiently navigate sidewalks, bringing food and groceries straight to customers’ doors while reducing the need for traditional vehicle-based deliveries.
“Our mission is to make delivery faster, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly,” said an Avride spokesperson. “Japan’s strong embrace of technology and innovation makes it the perfect place for us to expand our operations.”
Expanding Beyond Tokyo: Avride’s Global Reach
Avride is also making significant moves in the United States. The company currently operates around 100 sidewalk delivery bots at Ohio State University in partnership with Grubhub. Additionally, through a multi-year agreement with Uber, Avride’s robots are already delivering food via Uber Eats in downtown Austin, Dallas, and Jersey City. Plans are also in motion to introduce self-driving cars onto the Uber platform in Dallas later this year.
The Future of Urban Logistics
By combining cutting-edge AI with real-world applications, Avride is reshaping last-mile delivery in cities worldwide. With its latest expansion into Japan, the company continues to push the boundaries of autonomous delivery, offering a glimpse into the future of urban logistics.
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