Shake Shack to Use Self-Driving Robots for Uber Eats Deliveries in LA

Shake Shack customers in Los Angeles could soon be receiving their orders by way of an autonomous delivery robot.

Several sidewalk bots, developed by local company Serve Robotics, will be deployed by select Shake Shack restaurants across the city to fulfill orders placed on the Uber Eats platform.

The Nvidia-backed start-up’s bots have been used by Uber Eats for autonomous deliveries since 2022 and the new partnership marks the latest stage in its ambitious plan to have 2,000 in operation on the platform by next year.

The Serve bots are capable of Level 4 autonomy – meaning they can drive themselves with no human input in specific areas – and use a variety of sensors, plus advanced artificial intelligence and GPS tech, to help deliver this functionality.

The bot looks like an upright cooler box on wheels, and since it was first made available through Uber Eats in West Hollywood in May 2022, it has been deployed by hundreds of other outlets in LA, including 7-Eleven stores.

Credti: Serve Robotics

Shake Shack customers will order their food as usual via the Uber Eats app. If an autonomous bot is available, they will receive the option to select it for delivery.

As is usual, the bot’s progress will be tracked via a map on the app, and upon arrival, customers can use a passcode to unlock the food storage area and retrieve their order.

Related:Nvidia Invests $10 Million in Serve Robotics

Serve claims this method of delivery brings a number of benefits, including enhanced convenience, due to efficient route planning and contactless transactions, plus lower costs for food outlets.

In addition, because the robots are all-electric, they help to eliminate noise and congestion from crowded urban areas and also reduce the carbon footprint associated with traditional delivery methods.

“We are excited to add another national merchant like Shake Shack to our platform, a partnership made possible through the relationship we have built with Uber Eats across tens of thousands of successful deliveries,” said Touraj Parang, president and COO of Serve Robotics.

“[This] highlights the value of Serve’s world-class strategic partnerships as we work to expand our geographic footprint and deploy 2,000 robots across the U.S. in 2025.”

Steph So, senior vice president of Shake Shack added. “In line with our vision of enlightened hospitality, this partnership highlights our commitment to leveraging innovation to enhance guest experiences both in and out of Shack.”

Serve’s ongoing rollout of its last-mile bots has continued to catch the eye of investors, with Nvidia confirming in a regulatory filing in early July that it now owned 3.7 million shares, a stake valued at around $9.8 million.

Related:Uber Eats Autonomous Deliveries Under Way in LA