A robotic delivery system in Dubai is set to broaden its reach following the success of Yango Technology’s pilot program. The initiative was launched last month in Shobha Hartland, generating promising outcomes.
“More than 40 percent of customers opted for the robot when it was made available,” stated Nikita Gavrilov, regional lead for Yango Tech Autonomy in the Middle East.
“People are eager to have this fully electric, cutting-edge solution deliver their food and groceries to their doorstep in about 20 minutes. It’s truly exhilarating.”
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The pilot was implemented in collaboration with food technology and retail company Roots, along with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), to facilitate deliveries within a 2km radius in less than 30 minutes. According to Nikita, the robots have proven to be highly effective.
“Our delivery times are remarkable; it takes less than 20 minutes from the moment the order is placed to when the customer retrieves their items from the robot,” he explained. “The system’s consistency is excellent, with robots operating daily and fully charged.”
Simple to use
Nikita mentioned that the company has been educating staff on interacting with the robots. “In the past month, our partner Roots has encountered no significant issues,” he noted. “They’ve shared that the process is straightforward, much like using any other system. They place an order, the robot arrives, they press a button to open the lid, load the order inside, and off it goes. It’s very easy to implement.”
The delivery pod has a capacity of 60 liters, is capable of navigating curbs of up to 10cm, and safely interacts with pedestrians during deliveries.
“We can fit around 12 bottles of 1.5 liters of water inside,” he remarked. “It also detects the movement of individuals nearby. There are times when children chase after the robot out of excitement; it can sense their presence and halts to prevent accidents.”
Currently, two robots are operating in the area for deliveries. When a customer places an order, the robot collects it and navigates the community, utilizing sidewalks and pedestrian crossings. Upon arrival at the delivery point, the customer receives a WhatsApp message notifying them to meet the robot at the entrance for pickup.
Expansion prospects
While specific details about the expansion were not disclosed, Nikita emphasized the significant potential for the delivery system to be rolled out, particularly in villa communities. “Since robots cannot ascend stairs or utilize elevators, deliveries are made right to the building’s entrance,” he explained. “In this context, catering to villas will be essential for scaling our operations, and we plan to explore this further.”
He noted potential challenges in persuading more companies to embrace this delivery method. “Some businesses at the conference view the robots and believe that such technologies are complex to integrate into their operations,” he said. “However, it really isn’t, and I hope that more firms will recognize this.”
Nasreen Abdulla
Nasreen Abdulla is a special correspondent covering topics related to food, technology, and human interest. When not reporting, she enjoys…