Kroger, the grocery giant, has reportedly entered into a collaboration with technology solution provider Nuro to test grocery delivery through self-driving cars. According to sources, residents of Scottsdale, Arizona will be the first recipients of autonomous deliveries from Fry’s Food Stores, a brand owned by Kroger.
Nuro, an autonomous vehicle start-up founded by Google’s former self-driving engineers, will lend technology expertise to the project. According to a statement by Kroger, it will charge a delivery fee of USD 5.95, and customers can request their groceries to be delivered the same day or the next day. Kroger’s Chief Digital Officer, Yael Cosset, has been quoted stating that the testing will help in measuring the demand for autonomous delivery service. He added that Kroger wants its customers to enjoy the convenience of reasonably priced grocery delivery.
According to credible sources, Nuro has lined up a fleet of customized Toyota Priuses along with a driver, to ensure safety during the tests. However, Kroger has plans of adopting Nuro’s new compact models that won’t accommodate a driver.
Apparently, the upcoming R1 model is designed to be smaller and lighter than a traditional passenger car. Nuro co-founder Dave Ferguson was quoted saying that the R1 is designed with significant safety benefits and encompasses a narrower body with an extra 3-4 foot of safety buffer that helps the vehicle position itself better during unforeseen scenarios. The maximum speed the vehicle can take is 25 miles per hour, which means the vehicle is less likely to create any major harm. The state of Arizona sports the nation’s most lenient laws for autonomous vehicles, which was a major factor for Kroger to kick-off the delivery services there, claim experts. However, Kroger affirmed that if the project results in success, the service will be extended to other locations as well.