ServeRobots, a revolutionary automated robot-based food delivery company that has partnered with Uber Eats, has recently announced the arrival of its third-generation model in 2025.
The rovers, despite their small size of approximately that of a shopping cart, can fit four large 16-inch pizzas and haul up to 50 pounds, a 15% increase from the previous model. The robots are optimized for travel of two miles from the pickup point, which is naturally ideal for large urban areas.
“I think it’s a very good idea if executed right,” junior Ava Salehani said. “I would definitely use Uber Eats more often if there was a decrease in delivery fees.”
The new model of robots has entered the manufacturing phase, and an expansion fleet of 2,000 robots is said to be deployed in early 2025. Compared to the current assembly of roughly 100 robots, this is a big step forward for the company.
The new generation robots, unveiled on Oct. 16, 2024, are also equipped with five times more on-board computing power and significant upgrades to the sensor suite, enabling it to move twice as fast mechanically with more informed decisions on the road, all while costing only one half its predecessors.
“Producing a cutting-edge robot that can drive faster and further while running five times more A.I. and slashing costs by half is a true engineering feat,” CEO and co-founder of Serve Robotics Dr. Ali Kashani said.
Moreover, robots can be controlled remotely by humans if a bewildering situation arises.
The success of Serve Robot is in part attributable to its new partnership with Nvidia Corporation, the world’s leading microchip engineering firm, which aided in optimizing the A.I. algorithms and providing modern microchips.
The arrival of such novel technologies has concerned some students at North High, as freelancing jobs such as delivering food are anticipated to dissipate.
“It’s definitely a concern because some people rely on food delivery to make extra money,” junior Aaron Kashani said.
Although it may be true that some jobs will disappear, a considerable amount of new jobs will also open, albeit more creative ones that advance society rather than ones that sustain it with labor.
ServeRobots debuted on Nasdaq on April 18, 2024, with a projected growth of over 11.6%.
Its initial public offering has excited investors, with the share price growing almost 1000% in just three months.
In July, Nvidia revealed that it had a 10% stake in the robot producers, which propagated investment into ServeRobots. Shortly after, however, investors adopted the notion that the small tech company was overvalued because of its partnership with Nvidia, and thus, the stock plummeted 52% in August.
In light of the information about the new model, investors are starting to buy into the stock again, as it has seen a 63% increase since the start of September.
Autonomous food delivery is evolving into a competitive market with rival companies such as Coco Robotics, which has already completed 300,000 deliveries, all of which are zero-emission, qualifying the company for considerable tax deductions.
What puts ServeRobots ahead, according to investors, is that it has partnered with Wing Aviation, an aerial food delivery company that relies on automated drones.
In theory, the land rovers would transport the food to predetermined drone headquarters, from which the drones would airlift the meals to the desired destination. Although no combined deliveries have been made thus far, experts from both companies have forecasted this partnership to increase the delivery radius to six miles.
Others seem to be more skeptical about A.I. affecting their lives.
“I find myself doubtful of this whole A.I. robot trend,” junior Jonathan Misaghi said. “I don’t do robots.”
Overall, A.I. and automation is the future of many industries. Many have come up to accept this reality, attempting to preface the shift and profit off it. But others maintain their reservations about such technology and refrain from interacting with it. Regardless, we should all educate ourselves and at least know what direction society is moving towards.
