A food delivery robot has suffered a “technical glitch” during a live cross with 7NEWS, at the launch of Australia’s first takeaway food trial.
Gold Coast diners are now the first in the country to receive their meals via the four-wheeled robot, which has been launched through Serve Robotics and DoorDash.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Food delivery robot suffers glitch during live TV cross
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The robots, which weigh about 100 kilograms, are being deployed through DoorDash and feature insulated compartments to keep food hot or cold during delivery.
Travelling at walking pace, the autonomous delivery robots boast an impressive 99.8 per cent success rate, according to the company behind the technology.
The mishap during the daily news bulletin Reporter Declan Milton was explaining to camera the robots ran at a 99.8 per cent success rate alongside a live demonstration, when the machine seemingly got stuck in a garden bed.
“This one has encountered a bit of a technical glitch, which it why we have crews on site in case this does happen,” Milton said. “We did not time this.”
It’s understood technical support crews for the robots are on standby during the trial period to address any glitches that may occur with the autonomous vehicles. Each robot also displays a contact number for members of the public with questions.
The Queensland trial is focusing on short-distance deliveries and is designed to complement rather than replace human delivery drivers, with organisers stating the technology is creating new jobs in the robotics field.
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Robot trial to expand across the Gold Coast Ben Cleary-Corradini, co-founder of participating restaurant Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers, expected customers to embrace the innovation.
“It’s going to be something that’s quite novel and fun,” he told 7NEWS.
“What our robots bring … a different modality for customers and merchants to use,” said Ryan Dillon of Serve Robotics. “And a sense of wonder in the community.”
Customers can choose to opt in to have their food delivered by robot when ordering through the platform.
At the end of each shift, robots will return to Serve?s operations depot at Griffith University.
The trial is expected to extend over the coming weeks and months, with plans to potentially service across the Gold Coast if successful.