In Miami, small food delivery robots are now part of everyday life. These little machines, shaped like boxes on wheels, move along the sidewalks and bring meals right to people’s homes. They even have blinking lights and names, which makes them stand out as they roll by.
The robots are used most in busy areas like Brickell and Coral Gables where lots of people live in apartments or work in offices. They have also started to appear in Wynwood and Coconut Grove. The business has grown quickly, with more restaurants joining in to offer robot delivery every month.
The food they carry is the same food people order from delivery apps like uBer eats and Serve Robotics. Interested diners can also order directly from Mr 01 or even Shake Shack. Customers can purchase pizza, burgers, tacos, salads, coffee, or even ice cream. Restaurants load the meals into the robot, the lid locks, and it only opens when the customer uses his or her phone to unlock it.
For many people, the robots are fun to watch.
“The first time I saw one of the robots, it was crossing the street in Coral Gables with a pizza inside. People actually stopped to take photos. It makes food delivery fun in a way,” said senior Aya Bardawil.
Others think they help with Miami’s traffic, which everyone knows can at times be very bad.
“I think it’s smart. Miami traffic is already bad enough, and this helps reduce the number of cars on the road,” said senior Nicolas Nauta.
Still, some people are not sure if the robots are ready for Miami’s weather.
“They’re cute, but I don’t know how well they’ll manage during a thunderstorm. Miami isn’t exactly robot-friendly when it pours,” said senior Sofia Fernandez.
From Brickell to Coral Gables and beyond, these robots are quickly becoming part of Miami’s food culture. They may be small, but they are changing the way people eat.
