Cartken and REEF Technology Launch Self-Driving Delivery in Miami

Cartken, a startup focused on self-driving and robotics, has announced a partnership with REEF Technology, a company specializing in parking lots and neighborhood hubs. This collaboration brings autonomous delivery robots to the streets of downtown Miami.

Emerging from Stealth Mode

This announcement marks Cartken’s official debut after operating in stealth mode. Founded in 2019 by former Google engineers – the team previously involved with the Bookbot project – the company has been developing advanced, AI-driven robotics and delivery solutions. Until now, their operations have remained largely undisclosed.

Initial Deployment and Operations

Following several months of testing, REEF-branded, electrically powered robots are now fulfilling dinner orders. These deliveries originate from REEF’s network of delivery-only kitchens and reach customers within a 3/4-mile radius of downtown Miami. The robots are equipped with insulation to maintain food temperature during transport.

Orders are dispatched to pre-positioned robots at designated logistics hubs as food preparation concludes.

Miami as a Testbed for Innovation

“We aim to demonstrate Miami’s potential as a forward-thinking city,” stated Matt Lindenberger, REEF’s Chief Technology Officer, in an interview with TechCrunch. “This provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the capabilities of this technology.”

Lindenberger highlighted Miami’s unique environment, characterized by increasing congestion post-COVID-19, as ideal for demonstrating the effectiveness of autonomous delivery.

Expansion Plans and Future Growth

While Miami serves as the initial launch location, REEF intends to expand the use of Cartken robots to other areas. Plans include extending service into Fort Lauderdale and other major metropolitan areas where REEF operates, such as Dallas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York.

Currently, two robots are actively delivering meals in Miami, with further expansion planned.

A "Force Multiplier" for Delivery Services

Lindenberger believes the introduction of robots will act as a “force multiplier,” enabling REEF to scale its delivery operations while upholding service quality and cost-effectiveness.

“We are witnessing a significant surge in deliveries in the post-pandemic era, a trend we anticipate will continue,” he explained. “Therefore, automation techniques that are zero-emission and contactless are becoming increasingly vital.”

Robot Capabilities and Safety Features

Cartken’s robots utilize a combination of machine learning and rule-based programming to navigate various scenarios. If faced with an unexpected situation, the robots are programmed to safely stop and request assistance, according to Christian Bersch, CEO of Cartken.

REEF maintains on-site supervisors who can remotely control the robots if necessary, a provision mandated by Florida legislation enacted in 2017 to permit the operation of self-driving delivery robots.

Autonomy and Environmental Awareness

“The underlying technology is comparable to that of a self-driving car,” Bersch clarified. “The robot perceives its surroundings and plans routes around obstacles like pedestrians and lampposts. Should an unforeseen event occur, such as someone stepping into its path, the robot can react instantaneously, often faster than remote control would allow.”

Integration with REEF’s Logistics Network

REEF defines specific operating zones for the robots on a map, and Cartken customizes the robot’s configuration for each city. This ensures the robots can effectively navigate and operate like traditional delivery drivers when given a delivery address.

The robots are equipped with LTE connectivity, continuously updating their location for seamless integration into REEF’s fleet management system.

Image Credits: REEF/Cartken

Future Integration with Delivery Platforms

REEF hopes to eventually integrate robot delivery as an option on major food delivery platforms like Postmates, UberEats, DoorDash, and GrubHub. Customers would receive a text notification upon the robot’s arrival, allowing them to retrieve their order.

Current Limitations and Phased Approach

Currently, the robots deliver to street level, with a human completing the final leg of the delivery to the customer’s door. This approach is preferred by most customers, as navigating complex apartment buildings and delivering directly to individual units presents challenges for the robots.

Many customers are also not yet comfortable interacting directly with a robotic delivery system.

A Step-by-Step Implementation

“This is an intermediate step, allowing us to advance the technology rapidly without encountering additional obstacles,” Lindenberger explained. “As with any new technology, a phased approach is crucial. Successfully dispatching robots within a defined radius and ensuring reliable arrival is a significant achievement. This allows us to identify and address the challenges associated with the final delivery step, which we can then collaborate with Cartken to resolve. Achieving this level of automation is a major milestone.”