Deliveroo's first robot deliveries will hit the UK this month

Deliveroo will launch robot deliveries in London's Canary Wharf this month, marking the company's first foray into autonomous vehicle deliveries in the UK. Four other cities will follow suit in the coming weeks and months. The drones, developed by Coco Robotics, will utilize onboard sensors, cameras, and artificial intelligence to navigate public streets at a slow walking pace.

Initially, the robots will cater to select restaurants like Patty & Bun, Signorelli, and Beam in Wood Wharf. Deliveroo anticipates expanding the service to more merchants in the future. This marks the first time Deliveroo has utilized autonomous delivery vehicles in the UK, though the majority of orders will still be handled by the company's extensive rider network.

While some pedestrians may not welcome the presence of delivery robots, they could prove beneficial for the visually impaired, as Coco's robots can transmit real-time hazard data to BlindSquare, an accessibility navigation app.