Chick-fil-A Testing Contactless Deliveries Using Robots

Chick-fil-A is bringing robots to their world-class delivery service in a new pilot program.

The fast-food restaurant is testing out the program in California and in Florida in collaboration with Tech company Refraction AI. Insulated robots will offer customers “contactless delivery,” which became common practice during the early days of the pandemic.

According to the Refraction AI website, the company uses its robots to “pick up goods from places like restaurants, pharmacies, and grocery stores and bring them directly to your house.” They specialize in a full robotic experience to ensure that the orders are not being touched unnecessarily.

Customers who order Chick-fil-A will receive their food in a box-shaped robot on wheels designed to withstand most weather conditions. The device will transport the food in a locked compartment. Once the robot arrives at the drop-off location, customers will receive a text message with a code to unlock the chamber and retrieve their food.

The text message on arrival is not the only communication that customers will receive from the robot. An initial text will let customers know that their order is arriving via robot, followed by an estimated arrival message once the food has been retrieved from the restaurant.

The savvy devices use artificial intelligence systems and depth-perception cameras to avoid colliding with pedestrians, vehicles, and sidewalks. For enhanced safety, they only reach up to 15 miles per hour. At this time, there is no timeline for when Chick-fil-A will permanently implement the program.