Uber is using self-driving robots to deliver food in Miami

Uber may be trying to replace some human drivers with robots after a court row with workers seeking pay rises.

The ride-hailing giant is using self-driving robots to deliver groceries for its UberEats from select retailers in Miami, Fla., and will expand to more cities next year.

The sidewalk-driving six-wheeled robots are from Cartken, founded by former Google engineers, and feature a trunk that can carry up to 24 pounds of cargo.

The partnership, announced on Thursday, comes two days after a Manhattan judge granted Uber’s bid to temporarily hold a pay rise for ridesharing services from taking effect next week.

The pay rise would have been 23.93 percent per mile. Uber is said to collect about 25 percent commission from the drivers.

Uber uses Cartken robots to deliver UberEats orders in parts of Miami, Florida. The robots use Cartken’s artificial intelligence (AI) and camera-based navigation and mapping technology

Regardless, robotic rides appear to be the way of the future as many companies look to deploy robotaxis and delivery bots.

Uber has been testing robots since May, unleashing Serve Robotics technology for the first time in Los Angeles, San Diego and Dubai.

Now the ride-hailing giant has partnered with Cartken, who deployed its robots on the Ohio State University campus in June.

Cartken’s robot Navigate sidewalks, crosswalks, and walkways within campus areas without human guidance.

The robots use Cartken’s artificial intelligence (AI) and camera-based navigation and mapping technology, which the company has developed for small autonomous vehicles, to safely navigate around pedestrians.

If necessary, human override remains possible – for example if a path is blocked – to ensure reliable operation and minimize delivery delays.

Cartken’s robots operate at up to three miles per hour and handle a variety of weather conditions, including rain and snow.

The delivery robots will initially transport items in the Dadeland area of ​​Miami-Dade County and then expand to other cities in 2023.

Cartken co-founder and CEO Christian Bersch said in a statement, “We’re excited to see how this partnership with Uber will bring the benefits of robotics to grocery delivery – and ultimately create more connected communities.”

“Together, we have an opportunity to reduce traffic congestion, help local merchants increase delivery capacity, and provide consumers with fast, convenient and emission-free deliveries.”

The partnership could be a way to weed out human drivers as Uber begins to feel pressure from officials and its employees to raise pay rates.

However, the pressure was eased after Manhattan Superior Court Justice Arthur Engoron issued an injunction blocking the increase.

The delivery robots will initially transport items in the Dadeland area of ​​Miami-Dade County and then expand to other cities in 2023

But the arguments are due to be heard on January 31 in a matter.

Uber argues that if it increases by 7.42 percent per minute and 23.93 percent per mile, it would have to pay up to 23 million more per month and increase fares by 10 percent.

TLC Commissioner David Do said in a statement: “We are disappointed by the tens of thousands of drivers who are once again being forced to bear the rising costs of inflation alone, with no help from the multi-billion dollar company they work for.

‘We will aggressively defend this important standard for our drivers.’

Uber spokesman Freddi Goldstein said, “Drivers do important work and deserve to be paid fairly, but fares should be calculated in a transparent, consistent and predictable manner.”