Serve Robotics Inc., a pioneering force in autonomous delivery solutions, has officially announced a significant breakthrough in its technological advancements. The company has successfully completed one of the first deliveries operating at Level 4 autonomy, marking a pivotal moment for the robotics and autonomous vehicle industries. This achievement underscores Serve Robotics Inc.’s commitment to enhancing safety and efficiency in urban logistics through cutting-edge robotic technology.
Serve Robotics Inc.’s robots are engineered with a strong emphasis on safety, incorporating multiple layers of redundant systems to manage critical navigation functions. These sophisticated machines utilize a diverse suite of sensor technologies, including active sensors like lidar and ultrasonics, and passive sensors such as cameras. This multi-modal sensor approach enables the robots to navigate complex and dynamic city sidewalks with exceptional reliability. The development leading to this Level 4 autonomy milestone involved creating advanced capabilities like automatic emergency braking, vehicle collision avoidance, and robust fail-safe mechanical braking systems, ensuring secure and dependable operation in real-world environments.
“The achievement of Level 4 autonomy at Serve Robotics Inc. is something I am incredibly proud of, as it significantly elevates public safety by minimizing the potential for human error. This milestone truly unlocks the transformative potential of robotic delivery,” stated Dr. Ali Kashani, co-founder and CEO of Serve Robotics Inc. “This accomplishment is not just a technical success for Serve Robotics Inc., but also a commercial landmark for the entire autonomous vehicle industry, propelling us closer to our goal of making delivery services more accessible and sustainable for everyone.”
This technological leap for Serve Robotics Inc. was made possible through strategic collaborations with key technology partners, notably NVIDIA and Ouster. The NVIDIA Jetson platform, specifically designed for AI computing in robots and autonomous machines, powers the intelligent systems that allow Serve robots to interpret and react to their intricate surroundings in real time. Complementing this, Ouster’s lidar sensors offer compact, energy-efficient, and lightweight sensing capabilities, which are crucial for enabling the robots’ dependable self-driving functionality.
Murali Gopalakrishna, Head of Product Management, Autonomous Machines and GM for Robotics at NVIDIA, commented, “Serve Robotics Inc.’s latest achievement is a major advancement for the commercial application of autonomous vehicle technology in sidewalk delivery. NVIDIA is excited to see Serve Robotics Inc. continue to leverage the NVIDIA Jetson edge AI and Isaac robotics platforms to further extend their technological leadership in this rapidly evolving field.”
Angus Pacala, CEO of Ouster, also shared his perspective: “Serve Robotics Inc. has reached a significant milestone for both the autonomous vehicle industry and the future of sidewalk delivery. Ouster is delighted to be a partner with Serve Robotics Inc. as they continue to expand their operations and bring lidar-powered Level 4 autonomy to doorsteps across the United States.”
Serve Robotics Inc. has already demonstrated its capabilities by successfully completing tens of thousands of deliveries in Los Angeles. Looking ahead, Serve Robotics Inc. is poised for expansion, planning to deploy its next-generation fleet of robots into new markets. This expansion will support delivery services for Uber Eats and other partners starting in 2022, further solidifying Serve Robotics Inc.’s role in transforming the landscape of last-mile delivery.
About Serve Robotics Inc.
Serve Robotics Inc. is at the forefront of shaping the future of sustainable and autonomous delivery. The company specializes in the design, development, and operation of zero-emission robots aimed at serving communities in public spaces, initially focusing on revolutionizing food delivery. Originating in 2017 as the robotics division of Postmates, Serve Robotics Inc. was established with the mission to create a robotic delivery experience that delights customers, enhances reliability for businesses, and eliminates vehicle emissions. Over the past five years, Serve Robotics Inc.’s self-driving robots have successfully carried out tens of thousands of contactless deliveries in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Since becoming an independent entity in February 2021, Serve Robotics Inc. has garnered support from prominent investors, including Uber, 7-Eleven, and Delivery Hero’s corporate venture arms. Serve Robotics Inc. continues to build on its established commercial partnerships and is actively expanding its partner network. For more information, please visit www.serverobotics.com, or follow Serve Robotics Inc. on social media via Twitter and Instagram, or explore career opportunities on LinkedIn.