The robots have six wheels and can carry 27 litres of cargo. Credit: Julija Sh via Shutterstock.com.

Uber Eats has partnered with Mitsubishi and Cartken to launch an autonomous food delivery service in Japan.

The service, expected to launch by the end of March 2024, will use Cartken’s autonomous sidewalk robots.

Cartken co-founder and chief operating officer Anjali Jindal Naik said: “This collaboration signifies a leap forward in redefining the future of food delivery, making it more accessible and sustainable to consumers in Japan.”

The autonomous food deliveries will initially be available in select areas of Tokyo.

Cartken’s autonomous robot is named Model C and is equipped with advanced computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData

Tick here to opt out of curated industry news, reports, and event updates from Verdict Food Service.

Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

The robots have six wheels and can carry 27 litres of cargo at a walking pace of up to 3.3 miles per hour. Cartken’s technology allows for remote monitoring and guidance if they encounter an unforeseen obstacle.

Uber Eats and Cartken launched similar sidewalk robot delivery services in the US.

Mitsubishi electric advanced application development senior general manager Shoji Tanaka said: “We hope that this newly announced initiative will serve as a catalyst for the spread of robot delivery services in Japan”.

He went on to cite robots as an “effective countermeasure” to Japan’s ongoing logistics labour shortage.

In April 2023, Uber Eats expanded its partnership with Cartken to offer food deliveries via automated robots in Fairfax, Virginia.

The move followed Cartken’s partnership with Uber Eats in Miami in December 2022, where delivery service customers in the Mosaic district can receive their deliveries via AI-powered sidewalk robots.