Bolt, the European ride-hailing competitor to Uber, is set to revolutionize the landscape of food and grocery deliveries with the introduction of autonomous delivery vehicles. Teaming up with Estonian company Starship Technologies, Bolt aims to streamline the process of autonomous deliveries and provide customers with quick and convenient service.
The forthcoming autonomous delivery service will initially be launched in Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, later this year. Bolt has developed small, six-wheeled robots in partnership with Starship Technologies to carry out the deliveries. The companies are determined to make the process as seamless as possible for customers. By simply tapping a button, shoppers will be able to opt for the effortless delivery service. When the robot arrives, opening it up will be as easy as tapping another button.
Starship Technologies, which already operates similar autonomous delivery services in various markets, including the United States and the United Kingdom, is excited about this new collaboration. In fact, it recently achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first autonomous delivery company to complete 5 million commercial deliveries worldwide. Alastair Westgarth, the CEO of Starship Technologies, emphasized the shared vision between the two companies, stating, “Bolt and Starship share very similar goals of promoting sustainability in local transport. Our convenient and on-demand autonomous delivery service perfectly aligns with the mission of making cities more eco-friendly.”
Bolt, originally founded as Taxify in Estonia in 2013, has experienced significant growth over the past decade. With operations spanning across 45 countries in Europe, Africa, Western Asia, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, the company offers various services, including ride-hailing, food delivery, grocery delivery, car-sharing, and scooter-sharing. Jevgeni Kabanov, President of Bolt, expressed optimism about expanding the collaboration in the future to make deliveries more affordable and accessible to a wider customer base.
The introduction of small autonomous delivery vehicles by Bolt and Starship Technologies marks a significant milestone in the evolving landscape of food and grocery deliveries. By combining technology, convenience, and a commitment to sustainability, the partnership aims to transform the way customers receive their daily essentials. As the service launches in Tallinn and gains momentum, the future of autonomous deliveries appears promising, hinting at a shift towards more efficient and eco-friendly urban transportation.
