Uber Eats, in collaboration with Mitsubishi Electric and autonomous robotics startup Cartken, is preparing to launch autonomous food delivery robots in Tokyo, Japan.
This is a significant expansion for Uber Eats, which previously launched similar services in the United States in Miami and Fairfax, Virginia.
Uber Eats partners with Mitsubishi Electric & Cartken to launch autonomous food delivery robots in Tokyo, addressing labor shortages & enhancing efficiency.
Answer to Local Labor Shortages
Earlier this month, we reported on Japan's skilled labor shortage in the technology sector and how it affects other industries. The shortage of skilled workers has reportedly hampered the country's efforts to digitalize its economy.
The Uber Eats initiative seeks to address local labor shortages while improving the efficiency and convenience of food delivery services. Shintaro Nakagawa, CEO of Uber Eats Japan, believes autonomous delivery will supplement existing human delivery methods such as bicycles, motorcycles, and on-foot deliveries.
Cartken's Model C sidewalk delivery robots, equipped with advanced AI and six cameras for autonomous driving and obstacle detection, are at the heart of this project.
These robots have been modified to comply with Japanese regulations, which include a maximum speed of 5.4 km/h and a reduced loading capacity. Uber Eats has also implemented privacy measures, such as automatically masking people's faces in robot-captured footage.
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Partnership with Cartken and Mitsubishi Electric
Uber Eats, Cartken, and Mitsubishi Electric have partnered to address logistical challenges and explore innovative food delivery solutions. Mitsubishi Electric plans to supervise operations and collaborate on future facility expansions.
According to Shoji Tanaka, senior general manager of Mitsubishi Electric's advanced application development center, robot delivery is a viable solution to the impending logistics crisis.
Tanaka is optimistic about the initiative's potential to accelerate the adoption of robot delivery services throughout Japan, paving the way for future advances in the field. "We hope that this newly announced initiative will serve as a catalyst for the spread of robot delivery services in Japan," Tanaka said.
While specifics about the Tokyo launch, such as operating hours and participating restaurants, have yet to be announced, Uber Eats and its partners are confident in navigating the city's busy streets.
Cartken's previous experience in Japan, working with major brands such as Starbucks and Rakuten, boosts his confidence in the venture's success.
Challenges Ahead
However, challenges remain, particularly in densely populated areas where robots must navigate through crowds of pedestrians. Despite these challenges, autonomous food delivery has the potential to transform urban logistics and the customer experience.
Last year, Japan relaxed traffic laws to let self-driving delivery robots roam the streets to ease labor shortages and reduce isolation among its aging population.
Given the pressure to protect human employment, authorities do not expect Japanese streets to be crowded with robots anytime soon.
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