DoorDash to use Serve Robotics’ sidewalk robots for deliveries in Los Angeles

DoorDash has announced a multi-year partnership with Serve Robotics to deploy autonomous sidewalk delivery robots in Los Angeles and across the U.S. This collaboration follows the recent launch of Dot, an autonomous delivery bot by DoorDash that operates on roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks at speeds up to 20 mph, distinguishing it from Serve’s primarily sidewalk-based robots. DoorDash aims to integrate various delivery modes—including sidewalk bots, drones, and robotaxis—into a multimodal platform to better serve its expanding customer base. According to Ashu Rege, VP of autonomy at DoorDash Labs, Dot addresses a critical delivery challenge: bridging the “last 10 feet” gap that other autonomous vehicles do not cover effectively. While sidewalk robots are suited for dense urban areas, Dot is designed for “dense suburban deliveries” within a 3-5 mile range, capable of navigating both roads and sidewalks to deliver food directly to customers’ doors. DoorDash plans to manufacture Dot at scale but has not disclosed specific production details