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CINCINNATI — Kroger Co. has announced that it will work with Mountain View, Calif.-based Nuro in a test of using unmanned vehicles to deliver online grocery orders. The companies say they will announce a pilot market soon, with deliveries expected to begin this fall.
A Nuro autonomous delivery vehicle
During the test, Kroger customers will be able to place same-day delivery orders through the retailer’s ClickList ordering system and Nuro’s app. The orders will then be delivered by Nuro’s fleet of autonomous vehicles.
“We are incredibly excited about the potential of our innovative partnership with Nuro to bring the future of grocery delivery to customers today,” Kroger chief digital officer Yael Cosset said in a statement. “As part of Restock Kroger, we have already started to redefine the grocery customer experience and expand the coverage area for our anything, anytime and anywhere offering. Partnering with Nuro, a leading technology company, will create customer value by providing Americans access to fast and convenient delivery at a fair price.”
Privately held Nuro is a hardware and software company that says it has developed the world’s first fully unmanned road vehicle. The company aims to partner with local businesses that are seeking new ways to cost-effectively transport goods and create new experiences for customers.
“Unmanned delivery will be a game-changer for local commerce, and together with Kroger, we’re thrilled to test this new delivery experience to bring grocery customers new levels of convenience and value,” Nuro co-founder Dave Ferguson said. “Our safe, reliable, and affordable service, combined with Kroger’s ubiquitous brand, is a powerful first step in our mission to accelerate the benefits of robotics for everyday life.”
