Residents of the Logan Circle area in Washington D.C. may notice new workers on the sidewalks – four-wheeled Coco Robots that are taking on food delivery tasks. Coco has been operating in the area for the past month, delivering orders from Beau Thai and other local merchants.

How it Works

The robots are limited to a 2-mile delivery zone and come equipped with insulated compartments to keep food hot or cold. According to Carl Hansen, vice president of government relations at Coco, the robots are designed to supplement delivery workers, not replace them. They focus on shorter distance trips, which tend to have lower tips, allowing human delivery workers to take on more lucrative trips.

The robots can travel up to 5 mph and have a virtual safety buffer that slows them down or stops them if a pedestrian gets too close. Customers can unlock the robot directly from their phone, retrieve their order, and the robot then returns to the restaurant.

Mapping and Safety

Before deploying the robots in a new neighborhood, Coco meticulously maps the sidewalks to ensure the robots can navigate easily, avoiding obstacles like uneven surfaces, potholes, and curbs. The robots are also equipped with sensors that constantly update the maps, allowing them to adapt to changing environments.

Coco is also sharing its mapping data with the Blind Square app, a navigation tool for the blind and visually impaired community. This partnership enables the app to provide users with real-time information about obstacles on the sidewalk, enhancing their safety and mobility.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.