Not that people in Jersey City, New Jersey are always so busy they need to get deliveries of their food on time or earlier because they need to attend to other matters, but Uber Eats is now making it possible for the city’s people to receive their orders quicker, thanks to… robots?
Operators are happy
Yes, robots are now delivering food from a handful of restaurants in Jersey City’s downtown. However, customers can still choose to get their items delivered traditionally.
These robots can carry your favorite meals and get to your location at five miles per hour. To help them avoid crashing into cars and pedestrians, these robots use sensors.
Operators are happy about this move. One of them, Megan Jensen, said this is big help for the communities being served
“These robots, they are all electric vehicles. So they do reduce emissions, and they also help reduce congestion on the streets," she said. “The merchant will come out, they’ll load the autonomous robot, then it will take off and head to the customer. It’ll remain locked the whole time until it meets the customer. Then, only the intended recipient is able to actually unlock that, using the Uber Eats app.”
Soon to be a common practice
Jersey City’s government embraces this change, but said that while people may spend more time familiarizing with this system, it will be a common practice real quick in almost every city around.
Are customers and human food delivery workers happy? They are not.
Negative reactions
Jessica Rosado, a resident of Jersey City, is unsure whether those robots can be trusted.
“I don’t know if it’s trustworthy. Like, I think it’s so cool, but I’m scared if it gets stuck somewhere, like what’s going to happen?” she stated.
Human food delivery workers agree, but their concern is about the income they will receive. If robots take over their jobs like artificial intelligence does, they just do not like those robots delivering food to their customers.
Restaurant tells customer to rate Uber Eats food delivery guy one star
How far can restaurants meddle when it comes to the dealings between customers – such as those of Uber Eats – and delivery guys? Well, for this restaurant going viral online, they had to meddle, especially when the delivery guy ordered food from them and dined in, while the customers’ order is set for delivery.
“Hi, your Uber Eats driver ate lunch in our store when your order was already ready to go,” the restaurant told the customer through a handwritten note tucked inside the order bag. “I’ve remade it fresh. Give him 1 star.”
Hey Ridesharing Forum members! What do you think about this story? Who’s wrong and who’s right? Three sectors are involved here: the customers, the restaurant, and the delivery guy. This seems to be a situation, so share your thoughts. Happy weekend!