Delivering the future: Domino's unveils autonomous delivery vehicle

Having a pizza delivered by a friendly robot sounds very Jetsons-esque — but it could be a reality in the very near future.

Pizza franchise Domino’s has unveiled plans to welcome an autonomous delivery vehicle to its team. Named DRU (Domino’s Robotic Unit), the four-wheeled autonomous vehicle is the result of an internal innovation session and was developed within the company’s DLAB, a purpose-built lab aimed at helping budding entrepreneurs commercialise their ideas.

Featuring compartments to keep food hot and drinks cold, DRU will travel on the footpath from the store to the delivery address. It can currently navigate from a starting point to its destination, selecting the best path of travel. Its onboard sensors enable it to navigate obstacles in its path.

Domino’s Group CEO and Managing Director Don Meij said that autonomous vehicles are set to open up new opportunities and create an impetus for innovation for Domino’s globally and in Australia.

“This highlights what can happen when disruptive thinking is fostered — it turns into a commercially viable and revolutionary product,” said Meij.

DRU is powered by technology from Australian start-up Marathon Robotics.

“To launch DRU from concept through to development of a prototype highlights the extraordinary talent and resources available on our doorstep — both with excellent external talent such as Marathon and the knowledge and experience of our internal team at Domino’s,” Meij said.

DRU has completed a number of customer deliveries using a special permit from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, operating in semiautonomous mode to comply with current legislation. Domino’s says these trials are a big step forward in commercialising fully autonomous delivery vehicles.

“With autonomous vehicles opening up possibilities for saving lives, saving time and moving goods more efficiently, we look forward to continuing our work in this field and leading the commercial trials so that our customers can reap the benefits,” Meij said.

“DRU is cheeky and endearing and we are confident that one day he will become an integral part of the Domino’s family. He’s a road to the future and one that we are very excited about exploring further.”