Domino's is testing an actual pizza delivery robot

Mar 19, 2016 - 08:12
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Domino's is testing an actual pizza delivery robot
Domino's is testing an actual pizza delivery robot

Google's self-driving cars and Amazon's delivery drone have both been leapfrogged by a pizza company. Sort of. 

Meet the Domino's Robotic Unit, or DRU, a self-driving pizza delivery drone developed by Domino's Australian division. DRU carried out its first successful pizza delivery on March 8, and the company's planning further tests.

Domino's says the robot can hit speeds of up to 12 mph and autonomously navigate around obstacles. The autonomous driving tech was developed by Marathon, a company that specializes in making self-driving targets for military live-fire exercises.

Currently, DRU is only equipped to travel on small roads and footpaths, and its battery life limits it to 12 miles in a single jouey. Domino's is also keenly aware a pizza-delivering robot might become a prime target for hungry thieves. Its locked pizza compartment requires a specific code from the customer's smartphone to open.

Flesh-and-blood pizza deliverers don't have to worry about their jobs just yet, though. Domino's estimates it will take at least two years before DRU is ready for the road.

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Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher is a Georgia-based freelance journalist covering local news, community developments, and regional issues that matter most to residents across the state. Writing for Georgianewsday.com since 2016, Mike has built a reputation for clear, balanced reporting and a strong connection to the communities he serves. His work spans city council decisions, school board updates, small business features, public safety reports, and statewide policy changes. In addition to local coverage, Mike occasionally reports on state politics and national headlines, offering readers context on how broader decisions impact Georgia communities. Known for his steady, fact-driven approach, Mike prioritizes accuracy, fairness, and accessibility in every story. Whether covering a town hall meeting or breaking political developments, he aims to inform readers with clarity and integrity. Outside the newsroom, Mike remains actively engaged in Georgia’s civic landscape, always seeking the next story that shapes the state’s future.