Just Eat Takeaway teams with RIVR to pilot robot food delivery dogs in Europe, kicks off in Zurich

Just Eat Takeaway.com is partnering with Swiss company RIVR to pilot doorstep delivery of food products with autonomous ground robots.

It lays claim to being the first on-demand delivery service to test out wheeled legged hybrid robotics equipped with physical AI in Europe. The robot combines wheels for travel with legs for climbing stairs and curbs.

It operates at approximately 15 km per hour. The design allows it to operate reliably in diverse weather conditions, including rain, snow, high heat, and wind. With a 40-litre capacity and an internal wall to prevent spillage, the robot can handle large orders.

The handover process is similar to a courier delivery. A secure locking mechanism enables the safe delivery of the order for both the partner and the user. The partner secures the order inside the robot, and the customer unlocks the cargo bin after being notified of its arrival. 

The robot has been manufactured to cover long distances safely, and every delivery is monitored real-time from a monitoring centre. It is programmed to instantly stop in emergencies, either automatically or via remote command, and is equipped with lights and a flag to stay noticeable during day and night.

It will initially deliver food orders in Zurich (Switzerland) from restaurant Zekis World. Just Eat Takeaway plans to introduce robotic delivery solutions to other European cities later this year, with potential expansion into retail and convenience stores.

Joerg Gerbig, Chief Operating Officer, Just Eat Takeaway, says: “Our vision is to empower everyday convenience, and we believe automation is an important driver in bringing that vision to life. It drives our commitment to exploring, testing and integrating innovations and technologies, all aimed at enhancing our service and driving an even better experience for our ecosystem.” 

Marko Bjelonic, Chief Executive Officer, RIVR, says: “Our collaboration with Just Eat Takeaway is a glimpse into a future where automation blends naturally into our cities, helping people get what they need, when they need it. Physical AI allows our robots to understand and adapt to the real world. It’s a step toward making autonomous delivery not only efficient, but intuitive, safe, and truly human centred.”

2025 RTIH INNOVATION AWARDS

Robot deliveries will be a key focus area at the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards. which are now open for entries, celebrate global tech innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.

Our 2024 hall of fame entrants were revealed during an event which took place at RIBA’s 66 Portland Place HQ in Central London on 21st November, and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by comedian Lucy Porter.

In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “The event is now into its sixth year and what a journey it has been. The awards started life as an online only affair during the Covid outbreak, before launching as a small scale in real life event and growing year on year to the point where we’re now selling out this fine, historic venue.”

He added: “Congratulations to all of our finalists. Many submissions did not make it through to the final stage, and getting to this point is no mean feat. Checkout-free stores, automated supply chains, immersive experiences, on-demand delivery, next generation loyalty offerings, inclusive retail, green technology. We’ve got all the cool stuff covered this evening.”

“But just importantly we’ve got lots of great examples of companies taking innovative tech and making it usable in everyday operations - resulting in more efficiency and profitability in all areas.”

Congratulations to our 2024 winners, and a big thank you to our sponsors, judging panel, the legend that is Lucy Porter, and all those who attended November's gathering. 

For further information on the 2025 RTIH Innovation Awards, please fill in the below form and we will get back to you asap.