DoorDash Debuts Dot Delivery Robot in Tempe, Mesa

DoorDash unveiled Dot, an in-house autonomous delivery robot built to travel on bike lanes, roads, sidewalks and driveways at speeds up to 20 mph, carrying roughly 30 pounds (about six large pizza boxes) and equipped with lidar, multiple cameras, LED “eyes,” an internal camera and a smart scale. Dot will be integrated into DoorDash’s Autonomous Delivery Platform — an AI dispatcher that routes orders across human Dashers, Dot and drones — and is launching as an early-access pilot in Tempe and Mesa, Arizona, with plans to expand to more markets. DoorDash said it developed Dot after finding other robots ill-suited for suburban deliveries and intends it to handle smaller, local trips to lower costs and emissions while human Dashers continue to perform the majority of deliveries. The company highlighted customer- and merchant-facing behaviors, AI routing and the smart scale to reduce missing-item complaints, and noted prior pilots with Coco Robotics and drone tests. The announcement comes amid wider industry challenges — including slow growth, past project shutdowns, vandalism and public acceptance concerns — leaving questions about long-term scale and economics. DoorDash also revealed complementary product moves, including a "Going Out" reservations tab and an expanded partnership with Kroger, signaling a broader push beyond core delivery logistics.