UPDATE: Waymo has officially launched a groundbreaking partnership with DoorDash to introduce autonomous delivery services in Phoenix, Arizona. This urgent development marks a significant shift in how residents will receive their food and groceries, utilizing Waymo’s self-driving technology.
The partnership will serve a large, 315-square-mile area of Phoenix, where DoorDash customers can expect their orders to be delivered by Waymo’s driverless vehicles. This new service is set to begin with deliveries from DashMart, DoorDash’s convenience and grocery platform, although not every order will qualify for autonomous delivery at the outset.
Why This Matters NOW: As the demand for contactless delivery options continues to soar, this collaboration aims to provide a “new and delightful experience” for consumers, according to David Richter, Vice President of Business and Corporate Development at DoorDash. The initiative is particularly critical as it tests the viability of automated deliveries, especially in the wake of the pandemic-driven surge in online shopping.
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has long been a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, previously focusing on robotaxis. The company had conducted pilot programs with UPS and Uber Eats but shifted its focus to enhance its self-driving vehicle capabilities. After discontinuing its self-driving truck program under Waymo Via in 2023, the company is now keen to re-enter the delivery sector through this strategic partnership.
Initial deliveries will utilize the Jaguar I-Pace, a fully autonomous vehicle that will navigate to customers’ locations. However, customers must retrieve their orders from the trunk of the vehicle using the DoorDash app, which presents a novel challenge: can the convenience of autonomous delivery surpass the traditional human-to-human interaction of hand-delivered items?
This development is particularly exciting as it aligns with DoorDash’s ongoing efforts in autonomous technology, which includes partnerships with sidewalk delivery bot company Serve Robotics in Los Angeles and the testing of its own autonomous delivery bot, Dot, unveiled in September.
As Waymo and DoorDash embark on this partnership, the industry will closely monitor the outcomes. Will customers embrace the idea of retrieving groceries from a self-driving car, or will they prefer the human touch? The success of this pilot could reshape local commerce and pave the way for larger-scale autonomous delivery networks.
What’s Next: The companies plan to expand the offerings over time, incorporating more local Phoenix merchants and a wider variety of products. As the autonomous delivery landscape evolves, consumers can expect ongoing updates and enhancements.
Stay tuned for the latest developments as Waymo and DoorDash work to redefine delivery in Phoenix!
