Dubai is set to broaden its robot delivery service after a successful pilot by Yango Technology. The company launched this pilot project in Shobha Hartland last month and reported positive outcomes from the initiative.

According to Nikita Gavrilov, the regional head of Yango Tech Autonomy for the Middle East, over 40 percent of customers opted for robot delivery when it was offered as an option. He expressed enthusiasm about the service, stating, “They want to see this fully electric, innovative thing come to their building door in 20 minutes, delivering their food and groceries.”

The pilot was implemented in collaboration with the food tech and retail company Roots, as well as Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The goal is to deliver orders within a 2-kilometer radius in under 30 minutes. Gavrilov noted that the delivery robots have proven to be highly efficient, with delivery times currently averaging less than 20 minutes from order creation to customer retrieval.

Gavrilov also mentioned that the robots are operational every day, fully charged, and ready for service. To support this, Yango Technology has been training staff on how to interact with the robots. He indicated that their partner, Roots, has encountered no significant challenges, describing the process as straightforward.

The delivery robots are designed with a capacity of 60 liters, allowing them to climb curbs up to 10 centimeters high and navigate roads while giving way to pedestrians. Gavrilov explained that the robots can carry substantial loads, such as 12 bottles of 1.5 liters of water, and can sense nearby movement, helping to prevent accidents.

Currently, there are two robots serving the community. Once an order is placed, the robot picks up the items and travels to the delivery location, notifying the customer via WhatsApp when it arrives. Customers must then meet the robot at the entrance to collect their goods.

Looking ahead, Gavrilov acknowledged the potential for expanding the delivery system, particularly in villa communities. He explained that since robots cannot navigate stairs or elevators, delivering directly to the entrance of buildings will be crucial for scaling operations. He expressed hope that more businesses would embrace this innovative delivery method despite concerns about implementation challenges.