DoorDash, Coco partner to launch robotic deliveries in Chicago, Los Angeles

USA – DoorDash and robotics company Coco have signed a partnership to enable robotic deliveries from nearly 600 merchants across Chicago and Los Angeles, according to a joint press release.

DoorDash has deepened its partnership with sidewalk delivery robot startup Coco, following the successful completion of over 100,000 robot-powered deliveries in Los Angeles during the pilot phase.

The collaboration also extends internationally, with Coco robots delivering orders via DoorDash’s Wolt platform in Helsinki, Finland.

Sidewalk delivery robots have become a new frontier in the battle among delivery giants, with companies like Uber Eats and Grubhub also investing in robotic delivery technology.

For DoorDash, the use of Coco’s fleet aligns with its broader multi-modal strategy to optimize efficiency in last-mile logistics.

According to DoorDash, robots will be deployed in areas where they are the most practical and cost-effective option—typically for short-distance deliveries within a predefined radius of the merchant.

“Not every delivery needs a 2-ton car just to deliver two chicken sandwiches,” said Harrison Shih, Senior Director at DoorDash Labs. “We believe the future of delivery will be multi-modal, and we’re thrilled to partner with Coco to expand sidewalk robot deliveries that complement the Dasher network.”

Coco currently operates a fleet of around 1,000 robots, with operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, and Helsinki.

The company has also been working with Uber Eats since 2023, as Uber seeks to gain ground on category leader DoorDash by strengthening its robotics strategy.

DoorDash asserts it is well-positioned to lead in autonomous delivery, citing its work through DoorDash Labs and its ongoing drone delivery initiatives with partners like Wing.

While the rollout of robotic delivery could bolster DoorDash’s market advantage, the company said it does not anticipate a significant reduction in work for human delivery drivers. Instead, robots are expected to support incremental growth in order volume.

Beyond logistics, the integration of robotic delivery holds broader implications.

Robots do not require wages, healthcare, or insurance, and are immune to labor disputes—factors that potentially reduce costs for delivery platforms and limit the influence of organized labor.

As automation becomes more prominent, the perceived replaceability of human workers may reshape labor dynamics in the gig economy.

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