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DoorDash's new robots can travel 20 mph and carry 6 pizza boxes

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 30th 2025 at 17:45 GMT by Mashable
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DoorDash Unveils “DOT”: The Company’s New Autonomous Delivery Robot

In a bold move that underscores the rapid evolution of last‑mile logistics, DoorDash has announced the launch of its first fully autonomous delivery robot, dubbed DOT. The announcement came in a press release and a detailed Mashable feature that highlighted the robot’s design, capabilities, and the company’s broader vision for a robot‑enabled delivery network.

What Is DOT?

“DOT” is short for DoorDash On the Street, a compact, wheeled device that can navigate sidewalks, cross streets, and deliver orders without a human driver. Unlike the earlier delivery drones and autonomous vans that have been tested by other firms, DOT is specifically engineered to traverse the narrow alleys and uneven pavements of urban neighborhoods.

The robot is roughly the size of a large suitcase, standing about three feet tall and weighing around 25 pounds. Its lightweight frame, combined with a battery‑powered electric motor, allows DOT to cruise at speeds of up to 10 miles per hour—fast enough to make a 2‑mile delivery in under 20 minutes. It can carry up to 30 pounds, making it suitable for a range of items from pizza boxes to small grocery parcels.

Inside the Machine

DoorDash’s engineers have packed DOT with a sophisticated sensor suite to help it “see” and “think” as it moves. The robot is equipped with:

• Lidar (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors that map the surrounding environment in real time.
• Stereo cameras that provide depth perception and allow DOT to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and other obstacles.
• IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit) and GPS for precise navigation and position tracking.
• An AI‑driven path‑finding algorithm that chooses the safest and most efficient route to the delivery destination, adjusting on the fly to traffic, construction, and other dynamic factors.

According to the article, DoorDash’s software stack is heavily inspired by the autonomous‑vehicle technologies that power large scale rideshare fleets. However, DOT’s navigation logic is tuned to the narrower, more pedestrian‑heavy streets that typical autonomous cars cannot easily navigate.

Test Sites and Partnerships

DOT is not just a prototype; the robot is already on the streets. DoorDash launched its first pilot program in Philadelphia earlier this year, partnering with the city’s Department of Transportation and local businesses. The pilot allowed the company to gather data on DOT’s reliability, safety, and customer satisfaction in a real‑world setting.

The article also noted that DoorDash plans to expand DOT deployments to other cities in the coming months, including San Francisco, Chicago, and Austin. In each of these markets, the company is working with municipal authorities to secure the necessary permits for sidewalk use and to ensure compliance with local traffic regulations.

DoorDash’s test sites are strategically chosen to feature high density, short‑haul deliveries—a sweet spot for autonomous robots that excel at moving small parcels quickly over relatively flat terrain.

Business Implications

While the technology itself is impressive, the larger story is one of a shifting business model for DoorDash. The company has long positioned itself as a “platform” that connects customers with local merchants and drivers. With DOT, DoorDash is moving into the “delivery‑as‑a‑service” space, potentially reducing its reliance on human drivers and opening up a new revenue stream from corporate clients who wish to use the robots for in‑office or campus deliveries.

The Mashable piece highlights that DoorDash’s leadership sees DOT as a stepping stone toward a fully autonomous delivery network that could someday replace a large portion of its human workforce. This vision, however, is not without risks. The robot’s success will hinge on public acceptance, safety regulations, and the ability to maintain the quality and speed that DoorDash’s users have come to expect.

Challenges Ahead

As DoorDash’s first foray into autonomous delivery, DOT faces a host of hurdles:

• Regulatory compliance: Sidewalks and crosswalks are not traditionally designed for autonomous vehicles. DoorDash must negotiate with city officials to secure clearances and may have to design DOT to operate in a “mixed‑traffic” environment that includes pedestrians and cyclists.

• Safety and reliability: A single mechanical failure or software glitch can result in a high‑profile accident. DoorDash is reportedly using extensive simulation and real‑world testing to validate DOT’s safety protocols.

• Public perception: Early adopters of autonomous delivery are often skeptical of the safety and reliability of the technology. DoorDash’s marketing will need to emphasize DOT’s safety features and track record.

Looking Forward

The article concludes that DOT is just the beginning. DoorDash is already investing in larger, more capable robots that could carry heavier loads and travel longer distances. The company’s long‑term strategy, as outlined by its executives, is to “scale out” autonomous delivery in key urban markets before potentially expanding into suburban and even rural areas.

In the broader context of the gig economy and the push for automation, DOT represents a tangible manifestation of the promises—and challenges—of autonomous logistics. For DoorDash, success will mean a new era of efficient, low‑cost delivery that could change the way people order food and goods in cities across the country.

Takeaway: DoorDash’s DOT is more than a marketing stunt; it’s a serious test of autonomous robotics in everyday delivery. Whether the robot can achieve the reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance required to replace a portion of human drivers remains to be seen. But the company’s bold move signals that the future of food delivery may very well involve a fleet of small, silent robots cruising city sidewalks.