Jun 29, 2018
Kroger has announced a new partnership that will enable the largest supermarket operator in the U.S. to make home deliveries of groceries to its customers without the need for drivers.
The retailer is partnering with Nuro, which bills itself as the manufacturer of the world’s first fully unmanned road vehicle. The pilot, which is expected to begin in the fall, is designed to help Kroger make affordable, same-day deliveries to its customers. According to a release put out by Kroger, the combination of the retailer’s size and Nuro’s technology will create a future in which customers will be able to enjoy the convenience of ordering and receiving the products they want, when and where they need them, at a low price.
“Unmanned delivery will be a game-changer for local commerce, and together with Kroger, we’re thrilled to test this new delivery experience to bring grocery customers new levels of convenience and value,” said Dave Ferguson, co-founder, Nuro. “Our safe, reliable, and affordable service, combined with Kroger’s ubiquitous brand, is a powerful first step in our mission to accelerate the benefits of robotics for everyday life.”
A Nuro YouTube video claims that the company “has created a new class of vehicle specially designed to navigate neighborhoods to keep outside (people) safer than what’s inside (products).”
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“We are incredibly excited about the potential of our innovative partnership with Nuro to bring the future of grocery delivery to customers today,” said Yael Cosset, Kroger’s chief digital officer, in a statement. “As part of Restock Kroger, we have already started to redefine the grocery customer experience and expand the coverage area for our anything, anytime and anywhere offering.”
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: How high are your expectations for Kroger’s pilot using Nuro’s autonomous vehicles? Do you see driverless deliveries as the future of grocery home delivery? What advantages do you see over other forms of delivery?
“How high are your expectations for Kroger’s pilot using Nuro’s autonomous vehicles?”
