Uber is rolling out a range of new features designed to strengthen its position in the online grocery delivery space.
The company is building on its 2020 acquisition of global delivery start-up Cornershop by adding several features to its Uber Eats U.S. grocery delivery service that is based on Cornershop technologies and processes. Starting the week of 24 July in select US cities and rolling out across the country during the summer, US consumers and grocery retailers will begin to see new Uber Eats grocery shopping and delivery features.
New features for consumers include live order tracking and 24/7 shopping, whilst new features for retailers include improved product catalogue functionality and enhanced support and training.
In general, Uber has been pursuing innovative delivery offerings. For example, its Uber Eats division is also now conducting two separate pilots of two very different autonomous delivery vehicles in the Los Angeles area.
Uber Eats is conducting end-to-end food deliveries for customers in Santa Monica, California using Motional all-electric, self-driving Ioniq 5 “robotaxis.” The Motional Ioniq 5 vehicles used in the service have been adapted to enable autonomous deliveries. Upon arrival at the drop-off location, the customer will receive an alert, securely unlock the vehicle door via the Uber Eats app, and collect their order from the backseat.
Uber is also partnering with autonomous sidewalk delivery company Serve Robotics to pilot an on-demand robotic delivery service in Los Angeles. Uber Eats customers in the Los Angeles area are now able to have orders delivered contact-free by zero-emissions Serve rovers.
