Deliveroo and Coco Robotics, a major provider of pavement delivery fleets in the US and Europe, have announced plans to introduce robot deliveries across the UK. Nottingham is among the initial pilot locations for this new venture.
Following an initial launch in Canary Wharf, London, this October, the service will roll out to Nottingham, followed by Milton Keynes, Leeds, and Stockton on Tees in the coming weeks and months. Local authorities across the UK have expressed support for the initiative, highlighting its potential for innovation and job creation.
Claire Ward, Mayor of the East Midlands, stated: “The East Midlands has always been a region that nurtures and welcomes innovation. We want to meet the needs of the present whilst shaping the future, and this means taking opportunities to work differently. Coco Robotics’ UK launch is an excellent opportunity to bring new technology into the region, and we are delighted that Nottingham will host a pilot scheme. We look forward to working with them to explore the potential for autonomous delivery and the benefits it could bring to businesses, residents and the region as a whole.”
This multi-city rollout signifies Coco’s entry into the UK market, expanding its European operations. The launch will be supported by local investment in operational infrastructure, creating skilled jobs in operations, maintenance, and logistics, alongside new depot and charging facilities.
The partnership marks a significant step in Deliveroo’s autonomous delivery strategy, representing its first use of autonomous vehicles in the UK. This move aligns with the company's approach to developing a multi-modal last-mile delivery system.
While the majority of orders will continue to be handled by Deliveroo's rider network, Coco's electric robots are designed for short-distance urban navigation, offering additional flexibility for local businesses on the platform. Operating at walking pace, the robots are built to navigate busy streets safely while delivering orders with zero emissions, contributing to reduced urban congestion.
In collaboration with BlindSquare, Coco will also share real-time data on pavement hazards identified by its robots. This information will be used to update the BlindSquare app, assisting blind and partially sighted pedestrians by alerting them to potential obstacles.
Miki Kuusi, Deliveroo chief executive officer, commented: “London is where Deliveroo was born, so it feels fitting that we’re launching our first UK autonomous delivery service with Coco Robotics here before expanding our exclusive partnership to more towns and cities nationwide, building on our partnership in other geographies. We see huge potential in autonomous delivery and we are looking forward to working with Coco to bring more flexibility to our delivery network, helping local restaurants and shops meet increasing consumer demand. We firmly believe that robot and drone technology should benefit High Street businesses of all sizes, helping them remain competitive and meet consumers in new ways.”
Zach Rash, Coco Robotics co-founder and chief executive officer, expressed his enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to be bringing Coco to the UK with Deliveroo as our launch partner. The interest here has been incredible and we’re committed to building something that creates lasting value for local merchants and the communities they serve. As we expand further across the UK, we look forward to giving more businesses another reliable delivery option and more communities access to the kind of infrastructure that makes delivery work better for everyone.”
Ilkka Pirttimaa, BlindSquare founder, highlighted the safety benefits: “We’re seeing firsthand how Coco’s real-time pavement data delivers tangible safety improvements for our users in every city where we operate together. Coco’s robots are essentially a real-time accessibility mapping network, feeding hazard data, discarded e-scooters, temporary construction, straight into BlindSquare’s self-voicing app, giving blind and partially sighted pedestrians the crucial seconds they need to navigate safely. London is historic, dynamic, and often challenging to navigate. Bringing this safety layer here is a major step forward, and it’s what autonomous technology should look like in a city. Coco’s robots don’t just share the pavement, they help make it more accessible for everyone.”
