Australia’s First Footpath Delivery Robots Have Launched On The Gold Coast

Gold Coasters are used to making way on the footpath for fellow locals with surfboards under their arms, dogs following a scent on the nature strip, or runners attempting a new PB. Now, we can also add robots to the mix. 

Serve Robotics has teamed up with DoorDash to bring Australia’s first footpath robot delivery service. It’s also the first time Serve has roamed beyond the United States, with the initial launch reserved for the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct in Southport. 

“This is the first time we've taken Serve beyond the United States, and the Gold Coast is the right place to start,” said CEO and co-founder of Serve Robotics, Ali Kashani. “It has the walkable neighbourhoods this technology is built for and a city that has shown it welcomes innovation. After delivering for more than 4,500 restaurants at home, we're here to give local restaurants a new way to reach customers and to earn community trust one delivery at a time.”

Image credit: Serve Robotics | Supplied

"The City of Gold Coast opened the door, DoorDash brought the restaurants and customers, and Griffith University in the Health and Knowledge Precinct gave our fleet a home. It all leads to the moment I'm most looking forward to, when a Gold Coast family opens their door and finds a robot has arrived with dinner.”

Naturally, we have a lot of questions so here’s what we know. Serve robots travel at a walking pace and are designed to give way to pedestrians while safely navigating footpaths. Trained remote supervisors are on hand to assist where needed, with a contact number displayed on each robot that you can call. 

You can opt-in or out of robot deliveries. The service is meant to fulfil orders within short distances in relatively dense, urban areas—complementing other existing delivery options. After all, you don’t want a cold feed because the robot was taking a leisurely stroll. 

Image credit: Serve Robotics | Supplied

Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers in Southport is the first restaurant in Australia to offer robot deliveries, with co-founder Ben Cleary-Corradini seeing the technology as a way to make their hearty bowls more accessible and convenient for customers. “Whether someone is enjoying our gnocchi for the first time or ordering their usual favourite, our goal remains the same: delicious food, warm Italian hospitality and a great customer experience,” he said. “If a friendly robot can help us deliver on that, even better.” 

As for Mayor Tom Tate, it’s another opportunity for Gold Coast to stay ahead of the game. “We know that the Gold Coast’s future economy will be shaped by technologies like robotics, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, and we want our city to be a place where those technologies are developed, tested and put to work,” he said. ““Having Serve Robotics choose the Gold Coast for its first operation outside the United States is a strong vote of confidence in our city and the innovation ecosystem we are building.”

To get a robot delivery, you need to order through the DoorDash app and the service will appear as an option at checkout if you’re in range of a participating merchant and a robot is available. The robot will collect your order and get to your address via footpath. You’ll then receive a notification when it arrives plus a unique code to open the robot’s secure compartment. From there, it’s bon appetit for you and the robot will go along its merry way. 

Image credit: Serve Robotics | Supplied

“DoorDash is focused on building a delivery platform that gives customers and merchants more choice, while continuing to support the Dashers who are central to our platform,” said vice president of DoorDash APAC, Simon Rossi. “This pilot program will help us understand how footpath robots can complement existing delivery options for short, local trips creating another convenient way for Gold Coast customers to access the neighbourhood businesses they love.”

So, when you’re on your next walk, maybe keep an eye out for robots.