Autonomous delivery robots might still seem like a novelty. Still, as we’ve seen over the past few years, they’re shaping up to be a key part of the restaurant delivery ecosystem. And when a century-old burger chain like White Castle teams up with tech pioneers like Coco Robotics and Uber Eats, it’s a sign the industry is getting serious.
In Chicago, White Castle launched robot deliveries via Uber Eats, integrated with Checkmate’s frictionless POS system. The goals of these robots are to reduce congestion in their parking lots, speed up service, and allow staff to focus on in-store operations while robots deliver to customers on the sidewalks.
These robots are more than just walking coolers, however. They automatically track order status and alert customers when their orders arrive. From there, customers can unlock the lid via the Uber Eats app. The best part is, all of this comes at no extra charge.
In Chicago’s first deployments, Coco bots operated in partnership with Uber Eats and DoorDash and have already handled over 500,000 deliveries across cities from Los Angeles to Helsinki.
Other Companies Offering Robot Delivery Service
In August 2024, Shake Shack began experimenting with sidewalk delivery robots in Los Angeles, partnering with Serve Robotics, a company that has offered autonomous delivery services in Los Angeles since 2022, and Uber Eats. Their early trials showed faster delivery times, better capacity, and overwhelmingly positive guest feedback. Step So, the senior vice president of digital experience for Shake Shack, noted:
“Guests receiving deliveries are delighted, and guests in the Shack benefit from less congestion of couriers in and out of the restaurant at peak times,”
Starship Technologies, a Delaware robotics company founded by Skype’s co-founders, leads on the college campus and local retail front, with delivery robots active in over 100 cities.
As of April 2025, the company reported more than 8 million deliveries and over 10 million miles travelled, all emission-free.
Some universities are offering their campuses as testing grounds for companies like Kiwi Campus, which deployed their “Kiwibots” for last‑mile delivery across over 30 campuses, using semi-autonomous systems that bridge human pickup and autonomous delivery.
UC Berkeley, Gonzaga, and Stanford are just a few of the schools participating in pilot programs led by Kiwi Campus and its partners, including Sodexo.
However, public sentiment isn’t all positive.
At Loyola Marymount University, an opinion piece titled “When you spot a Kiwibot on campus – brace for impact” calls attention to growing frustrations. The author describes students struggling to walk on crowded sidewalks while avoiding slow-moving bots, arguing that the technology can feel more disruptive than convenient in high-traffic areas
Are Delivery Bots the Future of the Restaurant Industry
The robot delivery market is set to grow by 33.7% from 2025 to 2032, so regardless of public opinion, we can expect to see more and more of these out on the streets.
The question is, “Is this a positive for the restaurant industry?”
There are a few reasons why many say yes:
- Speed and cost control: Bots have the potential to reduce dependency on drivers, lower labor costs, and minimize human error with delivery. White Castle specifically cites ease of fulfillment and fewer delivery handoffs as benefits.
- Less traffic, more convenience: In cities like Chicago and LA, delivery robot corridors are already disrupting curbside congestion. Coco’s operations reportedly ease street traffic and reduce backups in small parking lots.
- Scale and investment momentum: Since 2019, robotics startups focused on food delivery have raised about $3.5 billion, showing a clear confidence in long-term ROI despite urban regulation challenges.
Challenges in the Real World
Of course, these upsides don’t come without their drawbacks.
Bots still have rough patches. As reported by The Wall Street Journal, there are several incidents where bots are vandalized, tipped, or unable to get around debris or over snow-clogged sidewalks.
On campuses and city streets, robots may amuse, annoy, or fail to deliver, which adds noise to otherwise innovative pilots.
On another note, some users still prefer a human touch. There are countless Reddit stories about meals arriving late or bots stalling mid-route. Reliability and the ability to handle unpredictable conditions are still a hurdles.
Regulation hasn’t quite caught up either. Municipal rules differ, and as these robots multiply, cities are now having to grapple with how to allow them safely alongside pedestrians.
The Bigger Picture for Restaurants
As delivery apps generate billions in orders annually, robotics offers a unique alternative. Bots move food faster without distractions and with more consistency than gig drivers battling traffic or dealing with other personal issues.
But adoption comes with tradeoffs. Brands still have to weigh customer acceptance against efficiency gains. For multi-location operators, deploying a fleet of robots requires both financial and logistical planning. And for startups, building reliable autonomous systems that scale is a lot of work.
Final Word
Delivery robots might still feel more like a Jetsons-era novelty than real operational assets to most, but that doesn’t mean they’re a passing fad. With brand backing from White Castle, Shake Shack, and major universities, it’s clear now that they’ve carved out a path to push the limits of what autonomous delivery can do for speed, labor, and logistics.
Regardless of whether they ultimately succeed or fail, they’ll shape how the industry moves forward. For restaurants, the opportunity is clear, but the execution isn’t as simple as buying a fleet and letting them loose in the world. Autonomous delivery requires the right infrastructure, thoughtful integration, and a strategy aligned with both your brand and your guests.
