DoorDash to Use Serve Robotics’ Sidewalk Robots for Deliveries in Los Angeles
DoorDash to use Serve Robotics’ sidewalk robots for deliveries in Los Angeles, marking a new era of autonomous food delivery. The partnership, announced Thursday, will bring Serve Robotics’ sidewalk delivery bots to DoorDash customers, expanding the company’s reach in the U.S. and testing new robotic delivery solutions.
Image Credits:Serve Robotics
This collaboration comes just a week after DoorDash introduced Dot, its own autonomous delivery bot, in Phoenix. Unlike Serve’s sidewalk-focused robots, Dot can travel on roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks, reaching speeds up to 20 mph.
Expanding DoorDash’s Robotics Footprint
Serve Robotics joins a growing list of tech partnerships for DoorDash, which has also worked with sidewalk bot startup Coco and drone delivery company Wing. According to Ashu Rege, VP of Autonomy at DoorDash Labs, these efforts are part of a broader plan to create a multimodal delivery platform.
The goal is clear: integrate various autonomous technologies to improve delivery efficiency while keeping costs manageable. By leveraging Serve’s sidewalk bots, DoorDash aims to complement Dot’s capabilities and offer a seamless customer experience.
How Serve Robotics Fits In
Serve’s sidewalk robots will operate alongside DoorDash and Uber, similar to how gig workers serve multiple platforms. This dual-service model allows Serve to maximize utilization of its technology, while DoorDash strengthens its delivery infrastructure without building every component in-house.
While other companies like Uber and Lyft tried to operate both the technology and platform for autonomous vehicles and faced challenges, DoorDash’s approach appears more measured. By combining proprietary bots like Dot with partnerships like Serve, the company can expand quickly without overextending its resources.
Why DoorDash’s Approach Could Succeed
Past attempts at full-scale autonomous operations, such as Nuro’s early vehicles, highlighted the cost of manufacturing and scaling. DoorDash’s hybrid strategy—developing Dot while partnering with established robotics companies—may offer a more cost-effective and scalable path.
Rege believes DoorDash can pull this off. The company plans to produce Dot at scale, though specific production numbers remain undisclosed. DoorDash reported record profits in the first half of 2025, fueled by a 20% increase in delivery volumes, signaling that these innovations could enhance both efficiency and customer satisfaction.
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