RIDEGURU
Perhaps Google has a much level-headed approach on this. Their first use case they are pushing for is grocery delivery, and they are launching it in Phoenix where Uber's car drover over a bicyclist.
Waymo, Google’s self-driving-car spinoff, has partnered with Walmart, Avis and AutoNation in a trial program to offer free short rides in the Phoenix area to customers who use their services.
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It’s been a little over a year since Waymo, the Alphabet-owned self-driving vehicle company, first launched its early rider program in an attempt to test its evolving technology and understand what it is that riders want out of an automated vehicle service. Today, the company announced that after months of research, it will be partnering with five different companies to expand its reach and provide discounts for services riders already use the AV technology for.
In a blog post, Waymo said test riders primarily use the self-driving cars to run smaller errands like shopping at retail locations or to pick up groceries. The company is launching a test pilot in Arizona with Walmart later this week that will provide riders with discounts on groceries that are ordered through the massive supermarket chain’s website. While those orders are being prepared by Walmart employees, Waymo will transport customers to and from their homes to pick up their groceries.
Read on: https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/25/17611760/waymo-walmart-self-driving-vehicles-groceries-discounts
Comments
This makes sense so much that it hurts. I mean, let these un-manned drones drive potatoes and frozen meals. No one will get hurt if it wraps itself around a telephone pole.
I wonder if executives at Uber are like, "DOH! Why didn't we think of that?"
well, the unmanned car can still plow into a school bus or a bazar full of people.
Oh, my gosh. That escalated quickly. Wow, jeez. did we have to take it that far with your example?
Sure, driving over a bicyclist pushing her bike, and mangling her to death. without slowing down.
touché. You win.
I still don't get why people do grocery delivery. Don't you like to pick out your produce? See what new foods you can try? etc? I get it is a pain to go to the store sometimes but I wouldn't like a robot picking out my avocados.
News flash: millenials don't go to stores anymore.
RIP chain restaurants that don't sell avocado toast.
Going to a physical store? That's so 2010s. Then you have to carry all that stuff home?! I mean, why?!
Seriously. I don't want some scrubby high school kid being paid minimum wage picking my groceries for me... I am all for online shopping but not for my food thank you.
Pay attention to your grocery habits for a few weeks. You will realize that you buy the same exact things over and over again.
Grocery shopping is SO ANNOYING. That's why. It takes ages. I can never find what I want. I have to deal with people at the store. I don't really care about my produce. Just give me a head of lettuce that is reasonably fresh and I will be happy.
So, let me get this straight. Someone ordering through this service is unable to make the trip because they do not own a vehicle / cannot drive, right?
If that's the case, why not just request a ride to Walmart and pick out your groceries yourself. Or better yet, go to a real grocery store (that is not Walmart) and get better fresh food.
No, that (not being able to drive or dont' own a vehicle) is not the reason. It's the convenience and speed at which you can get groceries.
Why drive to the store if th food can come to you without anyone's involvement?
Obviously, it's nicer for something to show up at your door. The potential issue is the price. They solved it (or attempts to solve it) by taking people cost out of the equation.
but I think a lot of people are just... lazy. even if they have a car they just don't want to make the trip to the store.
Sounds great, but isn't the driving portion of this service kind of the easy part? Seems like the logistical challenge of packing people's grocery order is much greater.