DoorDash introduces Dot: compact electric delivery robot for neighborhood trips
At the Dash Forward keynote, DoorDash revealed Dot, a small electric delivery robot designed for short neighborhood trips. Built by DoorDash Labs to work with the company’s Autonomous Delivery Platform, Dot is roughly one-tenth the size of a car, can reach up to 20 mph, and is able to travel on sidewalks and bike lanes as well as roads. It’s small enough to fit through doorways and driveways, making it suited to local grocery and convenience deliveries.
Key specs
- Size: ~1/10th of a car — fits through doorways
- Top speed: up to 20 mph
- Navigation: roads, bike lanes, sidewalks
- Deployment: early access in Tempe & Mesa, Arizona (expanding to more markets over time)
How Dot fits DoorDash’s strategy
Dot is part of a multi-modal delivery approach that pairs human Dashers, sidewalk robots, and drones. DoorDash says Dashers will still perform the “vast majority” of deliveries; Dot is intended to fill in for short, lower-value trips so Dashers can focus on higher-value orders.
“You don’t always need a full-sized car to deliver a tube of toothpaste or pack of diapers.” — Stanley Tang, Head of DoorDash Labs
Where to learn more
Official DoorDash announcement: DoorDash press release
Additional coverage
- Los Angeles Times: DoorDash rolls out delivery robots
- Business Insider: DoorDash on autonomous delivery strategy
Questions or reactions? Share your thoughts below — are robots like Dot a useful local delivery solution or a potential headache for cities and couriers?
Sources: DoorDash press release; Los Angeles Times; Business Insider.