DoorDash and US-based Serve Robotics have launched Australia’s first footpath robot delivery service with an initial launch in the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct.

DoorDash customers ordering from Gnocchi Gnocchi in Southport – the pilot’s first participating restaurant – can now choose to have their order delivered by a Serve robot. More local restaurants will join the launch in the coming weeks, with any future expansion informed by feedback from the community.

Serve robots are claimed to travel at walking pace, give way to pedestrians and are designed to safely navigate footpaths. They are supported by trained remote supervisors who can assist where needed and each robot displays a contact number for members of the public with questions.

Serve Robotics co-founder and CEO Ali Kashani says the Gold Coast is Serve’s first location outside of the US.

“It has the walkable neighbourhoods this technology is built for and a city that has shown it welcomes innovation,” says Serve Robotics co-founder and CEO Ali Kashani.

“The City of Gold Coast opened the door, DoorDash brought the restaurants and customers, and Griffith University in the Health and Knowledge Precinct gave our fleet a home. It all leads to the moment I’m most looking forward to, when a Gold Coast family opens their door and finds a robot has arrived with dinner.”

DoorDash APAC Vice President Simon Rossi says DoorDash is focused on building a delivery platform that gives customers and merchants more choice, while continuing to support the Dashers who are central to the platform.

“This pilot program will help us understand how footpath robots can complement existing delivery options for short, local trips creating another convenient way for Gold Coast customers to access the neighbourhood businesses they love,” he says.

Customers will continue to order through the DoorDash app. When a participating merchant is nearby and a robot is available, robot delivery will appear as an option at checkout. Once selected, the robot collects the order from the restaurant and travels along the footpath to the customer’s address. Customers receive a notification when it arrives, along with a unique code to open the robot’s secure compartment and collect their order.