Amazon Drones Get Automation OK

California cracks down on self-checkout, Serve partners with DriveU

We’re up in the air, down on the ground, behind the checkout counter and everywhere else… this week’s restaurant and retail robotics news touches on just about everything!

Amazon Prime Air Scores BVLOS Approval

Amazon Prime Air, the ecommerce giant’s drone delivery initiative, secured a critical approval from the FAA, with the regulatory agency now permitting operations beyond the visual line of site (BVLOS.) That means the eVTOLs can operate where a ground-based pilot is unable to see them, with remote monitoring and automated “detect and avoid” technology. This advancement ties into Amazon’s work to release an updated version of its drone hardware, as well as plans to deploy from facilities attached to its existing same-day delivery network.

California May Kneecap Self-Checkout

California lawmakers may seriously hamper the use of self-checkout machines, as the state’s senate passed a bill that would require any store with such tools to have one worker who is “relieved of all other duties” dedicated to no more than two self-checkout kiosks. Additionally, machines would be limited to handling purchasing of just 15 items or fewer.

Serve Partners with DriveU

PDD stalwart Serve Robotics has announced a new partnership with DriveU.auto, a provider of connectivity platforms for autonomous vehicles. Serve will leverage DriveU's platform to enhance the performance of its human-facilitated, remote monitoring of its delivery fleet. Israel-based DriveU also works with companies like Coco, Gatik, Teraki, Segway and Easy Mile.

Navia & Nuwa Team Up for Restaurants

SoCal-based Nuwa Robotics is partnering with Taiwan’s Nuwa Robotics, with the American company working to bring the latter’s machines to U.S. restaurateurs. Nuwa offers a suite of ColliBot robots, tailored to deliver trays, greet guests and advertise additional items in busy restaurants; pricing starts at $11,999.

Presto Automation Heads to Taco John’s

Mexican fast food chain Taco John’s is expanding its pilot of Presto Automation’s AI-powered drive-thru voice ordering platform, after initial deployment began in April. “Preliminary test results have been very positive,” said Ryan Baune, Vice President for Technology at Taco John’s, which boasts nearly 400 storefronts. “We are seeing improvements around speed of service, order accuracy, and an increase in average ticket size primarily driven by upsell attachment.” The pilot is facilitated through an integration with the Qu POS system.

In Other News

Sodexo and the University of Cincinnati introduce 513 Culinary Group, an immersive campus dining venture focused on innovation, creativity, and inclusivity. NASA scientist creates PZZA, robot for making pizzas that look a lot like dropped lasagnas. (See below.) Cibotica scores MOTO Pizza deal. Amazon Fresh ends delivery in five UK markets.