DoorDash unveils Dot, its first commercial autonomous delivery robot - The Robot Report

DoorDash has introduced Dot, its first commercial autonomous delivery robot designed to perform local deliveries by traveling on bike lanes, roads, sidewalks, and driveways. About one-tenth the size of a car, Dot can travel up to 20 mph (32.1 kph) and carry up to 30 pounds (13.6 kg) of cargo, including up to six large pizza boxes. Its compact size (4 ft. 6 in. tall) allows it to navigate doorways and driveways, reducing congestion and enabling efficient handoffs. The robot’s sensor suite includes eight external cameras for 360-degree vision, one interior camera, four radar units, and initially three high-resolution lidar sensors, with plans to switch to more cost-effective automotive-grade lidars for scalability. Dot’s technology stack combines deep learning and search-based algorithms to autonomously navigate complex environments such as busy parking lots, streets, and sidewalks while understanding the behavior of other road users to drive safely and predictably. Door