Domino's Unveil First Pizza Delivery Robot

Domino's Pizza company has unveiled plans to trial the 'world's first' driverless pizza delivery robots, named the DRU - Domino's Robotic Unit - in Australia and New Zealand.

Developed in Australia, and powered by technology from the Australian start-up, Marathon Robotics, the prototype has a friendly persona and lighting to help customers identify and interact with it.

The Domino's Robotic Unit is a four-wheeled vehicle standing at just under a metre high with a heated compartment that can hold up to 10 pizzas.

It (Other OTC: ITGL - news) is battery powered, uses on-board sensors to avoid obstacles on footpaths and can make deliveries within a 20km radius of a store, before returning to recharge. Customers are given a code when they order, which they enter onto a keypad to unlock the compartment containing their pizza.

Domino’s Group CEO and Managing Director, Don Meij said that autonomous vehicles were set to open up new opportunities and create an impetus for innovation for Domino’s globally and in Australia.

“The DRU prototype is only the first step in our research and development as we continue to develop a range of innovations set to revolutionise the entire pizza ordering experience.”

Domino’s has been working with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads, along with other global partners to ensure the delivery droid concept meets relevant legislative requirements as it is trialled and tested.

The New Zealand government is also backing the plans to roll out the DRU. The pizza chain's New Zealand general manager Scott Bush said: "The DRU is cheeky and endearing and we are confident that one day he will become an intergral part of the Domino's family.

"He's a road to the future and one that we are very excited to be exploring together."

New Zealand is still working on regulations relating to driverless vehicles such as the DRU, which is designed to operate on both roads and footpaths.

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises Limited owns the master franchise rights to seven markets globally including Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, France, The Netherlands, Japan and Germany. The Company runs and operates over 1900 stores throughout these markets (Other OTC: UBGXF - news) .