AUSTIN, Texas — New semi-autonomous robots are taking over some streets of Austin to make food deliveries as the Capital City deals with rapid growth and congestion.
Refraction AI, a Michigan-based company, recently expanded in Austin, bringing 10 delivery machines to South Congress, Travis Heights and some parts of Downtown Austin.
“You don’t need a 4,000-pound vehicle that has a lot of carbon emissions to bring you a pizza or a cheeseburger or something bigger,” said Luke Schneider, CEO of Refraction AI.
How do these robots work?
The company’s REV-1, a low-weight and low-power machine, uses cameras, lidar, radar and ultrasound sensors to move around, similar to the technology used in autonomous vehicles. The robot travels up to 15 mph.
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