District Department of Transportation Issues Additional Permits for Personal Delivery Devices
(Washington, DC) – In an effort to enhance food delivery options in the District, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) has issued permits to two personal delivery device (PDD) companies, Serve Robotics and Coco Robotics. These companies will deploy sidewalk robots to provide door-to-door food delivery services throughout various neighborhoods in Washington, DC.
DDOT Director Sharon Kershbaum emphasized the benefits of these devices, stating, “Personal delivery devices offer an additional option for food delivery in the District and can be an alternative to trips made by larger vehicles. We are excited to add this delivery option.” With these permits, Serve and Coco join Robot.com (formerly Kiwibot) as the currently permitted PDD operators in the area. Both Serve and Coco will partner with Uber Eats for their delivery services, while Coco will also collaborate with DoorDash and local merchants.
Each PDD operator is allowed to map their service areas and will initially operate within a one-square-mile zone, utilizing a fleet of up to 25 devices. This initial phase will last for three months, during which the companies will gauge the effectiveness of their services. If they meet the Terms and Conditions outlined in their permits, they may have the opportunity to expand their operational zones and fleet sizes. Importantly, all operators have passed rigorous field tests to ensure their devices interact safely with pedestrians, especially those with disabilities.
Residents interested in learning more about the service areas and operations of these personal delivery devices can visit DDOT’s dedicated Personal Delivery Device webpage. As the District continues to innovate in transportation solutions, these PDDs represent a step toward a more efficient and sustainable delivery system for food services across the city.
Read the original article at ddot