A four-wheeled robot with a smiley face could represent the future of delivery.
Driving the news: Waterloo, Ontario-based startup Real Life Robotics will launch a pilot in Markham next month to test six of its electric delivery robots. Called “Bubs,” the (very cute) bots carry insulated containers with a 50-kilogram capacity autonomously or via remote control.
- This will be the second pilot of the tech since Real Life received federal funding in January. The first one took place at the Toronto Zoo to deliver chow for the animals.
- Real Life’s long-term goal is to create a pool of bots that clients pay monthly fees to access, with a focus on helping mom-and-pop shops compete with bigger retailers.
Big picture: Delivery robots are popping up around the world — Uber officially launched its international program in Japan this year — but previous tests in Canada didn’t go well. In 2021, a pilot in Toronto culminated with delivery bots being banned from the city’s sidewalks and bike lanes.
Why it matters: If delivery bots can learn to share the streets with pedestrians, they could be a boon for businesses looking for cost-effective delivery. They also offer a climate-friendly solution for the “last mile” of deliveries by replacing gas vehicles for short-haul trips.—QH