StarDestroyer.Net BBS

Robots have changed our lives in many ways, from advancing our healthcare and automating our factory lines, to taking on dangerous tasks and even taking our place in warfare.

Now Domino's have developed possibly the greatest use for robots yet - safe and secure pizza delivery in what the company claims is a world first.

The company is testing pizza delivery by robot in New Zealand, known as the Domino's Robotic Unit (DRU). The three-foot tall battery-powered unit contains a heated compartment for storing up to 10 pizzas, and is capable of self-driving up to 12.5 miles, or 20 km from a shop.

The robot sports sensors for detecting obstacles on its route, and customers are given a unique code to key into the pizza compartment once it arrives at their house to prevent thieves from trying to steal its goods en route.

It has been designed to drive on both roads and pavements, and will return to its store to recharge once the delivery has been completed.

The 'cheeky' robot is just under a metre tall Credit: Dominos

"DRU is cheeky and endearing and we are confident that one day he will become an integral part of the Domino's family," the chain's New Zealand general manager Scott Bush said.

"He's a road to the future and one that we are very excited about exploring further."

Domino's and the New Zealand government are working towards a date for the trial to begin, although driverless vehicle regulations in the country are still being discussed.

In November last year the company created an 'easy order' button, a physical button customers could press to order a pizza when the thought of lifting up the phone is just too much effort.

The button syncs with a smartphone via Bluetooth and connects with an app to automatically place the order. Once pressed, it glows red to indicate the pizza is on its way.

The company will be holding a competition to select a number of "superfans" to receive one of the Limited Edition Easy Order buttons. Details of the competition will be revealed in December.

However, for the rest of us, there is a digital version of the Easy Order button on the Domino’s app and website that allows customers to order their favourite pizza wherever and whenever they choose.

Flagg wrote:Yeah, but at least the pizza man won't be beaten half to death with a golf club like a coworker bragged he and a cousin of his did. Vero Beach, FL: Not a Great Place ro Visit, an Even Worse Place To Live!

Solauren wrote: WIth this, the pizzaman might get stripped for parts....

Simon_Jester wrote:Preferable.

I have a cynical suspicion, though, that because of all the times the machines get damaged, vandalized, or otherwise sabotaged, Domino's that do delivery in dangerous areas may end up being among the last to adopt the robots. At least, unless Domino's has to pay insurance or medical bills for its delivery staff when they get injured on duty.

Flagg wrote:Yeah, these are companies that charge "delivery fees" that don't go to the delivery drivers in any way. They even have to pay for their own gas. That's why I always tip them and try to tip in cash so no greedy managers can get a cut if it's charged to the card.

Solauren wrote:Now a days, in bad neighbourhoods, the pizza man might get mugged for the pizza.
With this, the pizzaman might get stripped for parts....

Lagmonster wrote:The question isn't whether people will abuse the machine, because they WILL. The question is whether it costs less to replace one of these than the salary of a driver. Because if it a) works about as reliably as a human, and b) costs about the same, fuck the human.

Elheru Aran wrote:Obviously nobody is tipping the robot. They could stick a fiver in the pizza-box compartment if they want to send something back to the people who prepared it, I suppose.

7.25/hour is minimum wage. Pizza drivers have usually been working at least a couple months or so before the store puts them on delivery duty, so let's be generous and say 7.50.

Elheru Aran wrote:So could you make one of these robots for south of $10K? I'm guessing it's possible.

InsaneTD wrote:The gold and copper might be worth stripping from the things. Plus ghetto robot wars.

InsaneTD wrote:Though it does leave the question of how far ahead the designer thought, ie, winter and ice. Bet it wasn't far enough and these things struggle.

U.P. Cinnabar wrote:

InsaneTD wrote:The gold and copper might be worth stripping from the things. Plus ghetto robot wars.

Also the platinum, if the robot is being driven by an internal-combustion engine using a catalytic converter.