Earlier this week, DoorDash unveiled its own new autonomous robot called Dot. The company says it’s part of its goal to have a “hybrid” model for deliveries. It’s the latest sign of a renewed interest in the industry of delivery robots after years of challenges. …’s Aarian Marshall joins us to discuss why this matters for all of us, whether we’re ordering in or not.
Mentioned in this episode:
DoorDash’s New Delivery Robot Rolls Out Into the Big, Cruel World by Aarian Marshall and Boone Ashworth
This Food-Delivery Robot Wants to Share the Bike Lane by Alex Davies
You can follow Michael Calore on Bluesky at @snackfight, Louise Matsakis on Bluesky at @lmatsakis, and Aarian Marshall on Bluesky at @aarianmarshall. Write to us at uncannyvalley@….com.
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Transcript
Note: This is an automated transcript, which may contain errors.
Michael Calore: Hey, Louise, how are you doing?
Louise Matsakis: Hey, Michael, I'm good. How are you?
Michael Calore: I'm doing well. Thanks for being here this week. Filling in for Lauren.
Louise Matsakis: Yeah, Lauren is on a really exciting trip to Arizona that I'm sure we'll hear more about soon. So, as her editor, I am happy to fill in when she's off on an adventure.
Michael Calore: All right, well, today we're going to be talking about something that, a little bit about robots and delivery apps. It's also an intersection that …'s Aarian Marshall has been following closely for years. So please welcome back to the show, Aarian. Hi.
Aarian Marshall: Hello.
Michael Calore: Given today's topic, I'm curious to know what is the most unexpected thing you've both ordered through a delivery app?
Louise Matsakis: So I was on a press trip to China recently, and I was taking notes during an interview, and I got pen all over my white pants. So I ordered the Chinese equivalent of a Tide pen. I think that's probably the weirdest thing I've ever gotten on demand.
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