Avride Partners with Grubhub to Deploy Food Delivery Robots on College Campuses
By Akash Sriram January 30, 2025
(Reuters) – Autonomous technology startup Avride announced on Thursday a partnership with food delivery company Grubhub to bring its robots to college campuses across the United States.
Companies and universities began experimenting with sidewalk delivery robots after the start of the pandemic. The shift aimed to address labor shortages, reduce costs, and decrease reliance on cars for deliveries.
Avride’s initial fleet of 100 robots is currently in operation at Ohio State University, where the company plans to introduce its next-generation models, according to the startup. The university also utilizes robots from other companies, such as Cartken, and now largely relies on robot deliveries.
“Campuses are almost ideal environments for introducing automation in delivery. They are relatively small areas, with a high density of orders, that is where robots shine the most right now,” Avride CEO Dmitry Polishchuk told Reuters.
Polishchuk added that the company has experienced significant interest and demand for its robots on U.S. campuses.
Companies like Avride and Serve Robotics have been establishing partnerships with ride-hailing and delivery services to commercialize robotic food delivery.
In October, Avride stated it would work with Uber and its delivery division on food deliveries and robotaxi services.
Founded in 2017, Austin, Texas-based Avride has already completed 200,000 deliveries across five countries. The startup was previously part of the self-driving division of Russian company Yandex, from which it separated last year following corporate restructuring.
(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Mohammed Safi Shamsi)
