Uber has extended its partnership with Waymo to offer autonomous deliveries to customers in Phoenix, the company wrote in an email to Restaurant Dive on Wednesday.
The company, which began offering autonomous rides to customers in this market last fall, will now offer Uber Eats delivery from these vehicles to consumers in Tempe, Mesa and Chandler, Arizona.
Uber Eats has been testing or expanding autonomous delivery in new markets over the last few years, partnering with Nuro, Motional, Cartken and Serve Robotics.
In the Phoenix market, Uber and Waymo are providing autonomous delivery through partnerships with select merchants, including local favorites like Princess Pita, Filiberto's and BoSa Donuts. To access autonomous delivery, customers order as usual and will see a prompt that says “autonomous vehicles may deliver your order.” Customers can opt-out if they prefer delivery via courier. Once the order arrives, customers receive a prompt to take their phones with them to unlock the vehicle and collect their items.
Waymo’s all-electric vehicles operate 24/7. The company has tested its technology in 13 states, according to its website. It currently operates in Phoenix and San Francisco, but says it will soon have operations in Los Angeles County in California and Austin, Texas, though its autonomous vehicles have drawn public ire, including sporadic instances of vandalism.
