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The basics:

• Uber Eats, Avride expand robot food delivery in Jersey City
• Service now covers 100 restaurants, including Journal Square, McGinley Square
• Robots deliver meals in under 20 minutes, with 31-mile battery range
• Expansion builds on launches in Austin and Dallas with growing demand

After introducing robot food delivery in Jersey City earlier this year, ride hailing giant Uber Eats and autonomous vehicle startup Avride have more than doubled the service’s local operating territory.

The program launched in February with a half dozen downtown restaurants. Since then, it has grown to cover the Journal Square and McGinley Square districts. According to an Avride spokesperson, at least 100 eateries in the city are available for robot delivery as part of the multiyear partnership with Uber Eats.

A spokesperson told NJBIZ, “We’re really touched by the way people in Jersey City have embraced our robots. The reaction has been incredibly warm — we constantly see videos, photos, and conversations on social media, and the sentiment is overwhelmingly positive. The animated eyes have become a clear favorite. When one of these little robots rolls by flashing heart-shaped eyes, it’s just impossible not to smile.”

Prior to Jersey City, the offering kicked off last fall in Austin and then expanded to Dallas. Since then, Avride estimates its fleet of sidewalk robots has delivered tens of thousands of meals to Uber Eats customers from more than 200 restaurants across those three cities.

According to Avride, dinner remains the most popular time for robot deliveries, with 5-6 p.m. being the busiest hours. After that, the lunch rush for local office workers, residents and visitors is the second most in-demand time for a quick, tech-powered meal.

“We’ve also noticed a number of orders coming from hotels, suggesting that in addition to being a convenient delivery option, robots are becoming a genuine tourist attraction. Guests visiting Jersey City, Austin, and Dallas are seizing the chance to try out the technology firsthand — often with cameras in hand, and the robots are always ready for their close-up,” Avride said.

Fast, fresh and fully autonomous

Using advanced software and cameras, these robots navigate city streets, crosswalks and avoid obstacles. According to Avride, the robot has a range of 31 miles on one charge. It can travel up to 5 miles per hour and is tested to operate in inclement weather.

Each trip from the restaurant to the doorstep takes less than 20 minutes, on average. Robots make about 20 street crossings per delivery, Avride said.

See the robot in action (no sound):

Customers can use the Uber Eats app to track the robot’s location in real time. They will also receive a notification when it arrives. Then, customers can tap “unlock” in the app to open a specially designed hatch to grab their order.

According to Uber Eats, the robot will wait for up to 10 minutes at the delivery location. The window aims to ensure there’s plenty of time for customers to collect their food. The companies also noted that the robot’s cameras blur faces and license plates to ensure discretion and keep privacy intact.

A spokesperson for Avride said the company is “constantly exploring the opportunities for further expansion” — and expects to share more details soon.