DoorDash is stepping up its delivery game—and I’ve been closely following its latest innovation. After quietly piloting sidewalk robot deliveries abroad with its Wolt arm, DoorDash is now rolling out these futuristic bots in the US. Powered by a partnership with Coco, this move is more than just a novelty—it’s a bold shift toward multi-modal, sustainable delivery.
Coco Robots Are Rolling in LA and Chicago
Right now, if you’re ordering food in Los Angeles or Chicago, there’s a chance it might arrive in a cute, icebox-looking robot. Nearly 600 merchants are already using this service. These Coco robots, developed for efficient sidewalk navigation, are becoming a familiar sight—and they’re doing more than just turning heads.
DoorDash Labs’ senior director Harrison Shih summed it up best: “Not every delivery needs a 2-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches.” I couldn’t agree more. These compact bots are a perfect fit for quick, short-range deliveries that would otherwise burn gas unnecessarily.
A Multi-Modal Future Is Taking Shape
Coco isn’t DoorDash’s only futuristic venture. The company is also dabbling in drone deliveries through a collaboration with Alphabet’s Wing, active in both the US and Australia. Between sidewalk bots and flying drones, DoorDash is clearly aiming to become a leader in flexible, tech-first delivery services.
They’ve already racked up over 100,000 deliveries through Coco globally—proof that this isn’t just an experiment. It’s a working solution.
Why Robot Delivery Is More Than a Gimmick
You might think, “Are these little bots just for show?” But they’re already doing real work—and not just with DoorDash. Uber Eats has been using Coco in LA as well, while also partnering with other robot startups like Cartken and Avride across cities like Miami and Jersey City.
The sidewalk robot industry isn’t all smooth rolling, though. Companies like Serve Robotics—which also supports Uber Eats—have to run teams that monitor robots, help them get unstuck, and unfortunately, deal with vandalism and theft attempts. These challenges highlight the growing pains of tech adoption in public spaces.
Why This Matters for the Future of Delivery
As someone who keeps tabs on both tech trends and sustainable living, I think this is a massive step forward. Using delivery robots for short distances reduces congestion, emissions, and delivery costs. Plus, it opens up new options for people in urban areas who rely on food delivery.
And let’s be real: seeing a robot roll up with your lunch is just cool.
DoorDash is proving that the future of delivery won’t rely solely on traditional methods. By integrating robots and drones alongside human drivers, they’re setting the stage for a smarter, more sustainable delivery ecosystem.
As this tech scales up, I’ll be watching closely—and probably ordering a burrito or two from a Coco bot myself.
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