Overview – Just Eat’s Robot Delivery Trials
Just Eat has started trials of autonomous delivery robots in the UK, signalling a new step in how takeaway food is transported for customers without using human couriers. The trials are part of a broader push into last-mile autonomous logistics, which the company says can boost efficiency, reduce delivery costs and improve delivery speed — especially during busy periods. (Courier News)
- The trial kicked off in Bristol and Milton Keynes, ahead of a busy takeaway period around Valentine’s Day. (Courier News)
- Just Eat is testing different types of ground robots — including wheeled units and robot “dogs” that can navigate urban environments. (Courier News)
Robot Models & Partners
Just Eat is working with two different technology partners to operate the trial robots:
RIVR Autonomous Robots (Milton Keynes)
- These robots have a four-legged design and are sometimes described as “robot dogs”. They’re built to move over uneven surfaces like curbs and stairs, not just on flat pavement.
- They can carry orders in an insulated cargo bay (about 40 litres) and navigate around pedestrians and obstacles.
- Progress is tracked by built-in “physical AI” systems that help them avoid hazards and adapt to real-world situations. (Courier News)
Deliver.AI Wheeled Robots (Bristol)
- In Bristol, Just Eat is trialling wheeled autonomous bots developed by deliver.AI.
- These models are less complex mechanically but still navigate footpaths and urban streets to deliver food straight from participating restaurants to customers’ doors. (Courier News)
How the Trial Works
- Orders made through the Just Eat app will be handed over to the robot at a partnered restaurant.
- The robot travels autonomously to the customer’s location, using sensors and AI to navigate.
- Once it arrives, the customer receives a notification and can unlock the robot’s cargo compartment to collect their meal.
- Delivery speeds are expected to be similar to traditional methods for short distances, and robots operate at pedestrian-safe speeds (around 15 km/h for RIVR models). (Courier News)
Comments from Just Eat and Partners
Mert Öztekin – Just Eat CTO
Just Eat’s Chief Technology Officer said the robot trials are part of the platform’s broader innovation strategy:
“We’re always innovating to improve the delivery experience for our customers. To trial ground robotics, we’ve teamed up with two expert organisations to ensure that we’re learning and working with the very best.” (Courier News)
His comments highlight that this isn’t just a novelty test, but a deliberate effort to explore how autonomous systems could complement existing delivery operations — especially in urban areas with lots of short, local orders. (Courier News)
Marko Bjelonic – RIVR CEO
The CEO of RIVR described the collaboration as a major step toward scaling autonomous delivery across cities:
“…our technology removes friction at the point of handover and creates a more seamless experience for consumers.” (Courier News)
That reflects a belief among tech partners that robots could become a regular part of future last-mile delivery infrastructure. (Courier News)
Context – Why This Matters
- The trials come as takeaway and home-delivery demand remains strong across the UK, especially around special occasions or high-volume days like Valentine’s Day. (Courier News)
- Just Eat isn’t the only delivery platform exploring robotics — competitors such as Uber Eats are also rolling out autonomous delivery robots in places like Leeds and Sheffield as part of their own tech expansion. (EveryTicker)
Public Reaction & Early Observations
- In places like Filton and Horfield (near Bristol), local residents have spotted and shared videos of the orange-branded Just Eat robots roaming neighbourhood streets — often attracting curiosity or amusement from passers-by. (Reddit)
- Some observers have joked about robots replacing pets or joked about their pace and visibility, underscoring the public’s interest in how this technology works in daily life. (Reddit)
In Summary
Just Eat’s UK delivery robot trials are a bold step toward integrating autonomous ground robots into everyday food delivery. Key points:
- Robots are being tested in Bristol and Milton Keynes with different operators handling the technology. (Courier News)
- The trial includes AI-enabled navigation and payload systems designed to operate safely among pedestrians. (Courier News)
- Executives stress this trial is part of long-term innovation to enhance customer experience and explore delivery automation. (Courier News)
- Early local reactions show curiosity and attention from the public as the robots move through communities. (Reddit)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of Just Eat’s delivery robot trials in the UK, specifically focusing on case studies and real-world comments from users, industry partners and locals:
1. Background: What the Trials Involve
Just Eat Takeaway.com has launched autonomous delivery robot trials in select UK cities — including Milton Keynes and Bristol — using ground robots to test a new approach to last-mile food delivery. These trials are part of Just Eat’s broader innovation strategy to explore automation and improve delivery speed and efficiency. (Courier News)
How It Works
- Robots pick up orders from restaurants and deliver them to customers using AI-enabled navigation and obstacle avoidance. (Courier News)
- Milton Keynes uses robots with wheeled-leg hybrid design that can navigate uneven surfaces, pavements and obstacles. (Courier News)
- Bristol’s trial features a four-wheeled autonomous model that handles flatter urban environments. (Courier News)
- Each robot carries orders in an insulated cargo compartment that customers unlock on delivery. (Courier News)
2. Case Studies from the UK Trial
Milton Keynes — “Robo Dogs” (RIVR Robots)
- Robots in Milton Keynes resemble quad-legged units (nicknamed “robo dogs”) that balance wheels with leg-like movement to climb curbs or steps and handle everyday urban obstacles. (Courier News)
- The robotics company behind these units, RIVR, uses a type of Physical AI technology that helps the machines adapt to real-world conditions and navigate complex city streets. (rivr.ai)
- These robots are built to operate at pedestrian-friendly speeds and handle regular delivery routes, showing how autonomous delivery could work beyond short campus or closed-complex settings. (Courier News)
Bristol — Four-Wheeled Autonomous Bots
- In Bristol, Just Eat is running trials using wheeled autonomous delivery robots. These differ from the Milton Keynes models because they aren’t designed to tackle stairs or more varied terrain but are still tested on paved urban routes. (Courier News)
- The goal in Bristol is to see how simpler — and potentially cheaper — autonomous bots perform in a typical UK city environment. (Courier News)
3. Comments from Industry and Executives
Just Eat’s Tech Leadership
Just Eat’s CTO, Mert Öztekin, explained that the trials are part of the company’s strategic innovation efforts: “We’re always innovating to improve the delivery experience… we’ve teamed up with expert partners so we can learn and work with the best.” This highlights that the trial isn’t a one-off stunt, but a step toward wider automation. (Courier News)
Partner Perspectives
- RIVR CEO Marko Bjelonic described the robots as helping “remove friction at the point of handover” and create “a more seamless experience for consumers”. This suggests long-term ambitions for autonomous delivery to become part of standard logistics rather than a novelty. (Courier News)
4. Real-World Reactions and User Comments
The trials have sparked wide curiosity and a mix of commentary from local communities, based on social media observations:
Public Reactions (Reddit – Bristol)
- Some locals find the robots strangely charming — likening their slow pace to walking a pet and attracting attention as they traverse neighbourhood pavements. (Reddit)
- Others jokingly speculate about the robots’ ability to handle everyday tasks (e.g., “Will they open gates?”) when walking alongside people, showing that the tech has captured public imagination and curiosity. (Reddit)
- Users also note the robots move slowly and somewhat repetitively, indicating that while exciting, the technology still feels novel rather than fully practical for mainstream delivery. (Reddit)
Comments on Utility and UX
- Some commenters have been sceptical about whether robots will replace human delivery riders, suggesting the current models may not significantly reduce delivery costs or time, but serve more as tests of what future logistics might look like. (Reddit)
- Other local comments highlight the novelty factor and how seeing robots in the wild draws video recording and attention — a sign that, at least at this stage, the technology feels more like a curiosity than a daily routine. (Reddit)
5. What This Means for the Future of Delivery
- Just Eat’s robot trials reflect a broader trend in autonomous delivery being explored globally — similar to initiatives by other platforms like Uber Eats partnering with Starship Technologies for robot deliveries in UK cities such as Leeds and Sheffield. (New Food Magazine)
- Success in trials could lead to larger rollouts in more cities, deeper integration with restaurant partners, and infrastructure adjustments — such as designated robot delivery routes or robot-friendly pedestrian zones.
- Long-term potential includes reducing traffic congestion and emissions from traditional delivery vehicles and offering predictable, contactless food delivery options — especially on short-distance routes.
Summary: Key Case Study Takeaways
Milton Keynes robo-dog robots show how advanced AI and adaptive movement can handle complex urban delivery tasks. (Courier News)
Bristol wheeled robots test how simpler, cost-efficient autonomous units perform in daily street environments. (Courier News)
Industry leaders emphasize innovation and long-term automation goals. (Courier News)
Local users are curious, amused, and cautious, viewing robots as amusing tech rather than fully transformative — at least for now. (Reddit)