Domino's Introduces World's First Autonomous Pizza Delivery Robot

Domino's Australia has just introduced 'DRU,' which they claim is the world's first autonomous pizza delivery robot. Short for Domino’s Robotic Unit, a team at Marathon Robotics teamed up with the pizza chain to create this piece of military-grade kit that's ready to take our jobs.

Working with high-profile clients like creating 'live-fire targets' for the Australian Defence Force and USMC, it's clear that Marathon has the experience to create any kind of robot. However, I bet they didn't think pizza delivery was going to become part of their Resumè. 

So how does it work? We don't know much about the specifics of this robot, except for it autonomously navigates itself on the best-calculated route via pavements, dodging obstacles with on-board sensors.

What is the benefit of doing this? I mean the reaction of one annoyed citizen of South Park would sum up the concerns around this. Both Domino's and Marathon are quick to highlight the "potential for saving lives." Sticking a robot on the street means one less opportunity for delivery people to be injured on the job. 

“It allows Domino’s to explore new concepts and push the boundaries of what is possible for our customers," Domino’s Group CEO and Managing Director, Don Meij commented. "The DRU prototype is only the first step in our research and development as we continue to develop a range of innovations set to revolutionise the entire pizza ordering experience.”

Once ordered and cooked, the DRU will turn up at your door with hot pizza in one insulated chamber, and ice-cold drinks in the other. Autonomous delivery is not a new concept, but this is certainly a novel one that looks like it could go far in other countries with the proper permission.

And before you ask, nobody else will be nabbing your order, as you get a unique code to enter once the DRU arrives. Check out more about it in the video below.