“Robots are carting fried chicken through Chicago streets. Drones are parachuting Panera strawberry lemonade down to homes in Charlotte, N.C. AI-powered scales at fast-food restaurants are making sure delivery orders that go out aren’t missing burgers.

Billions of dollars in investment and years of research are going into efforts to fix a modern convenience: food delivery.

Restaurants in the U.S. receive around 4 billion food-delivery orders a year through apps alone, according to data-insights company Consumer Edge. But hungry customers often end up disappointed. Couriers juggle multiple deliveries, resulting in cold burritos. Drinks are spilled, fries are shorted. Delivery charges grow ever higher, as do suggested tips and menu prices.

Enter robotics companies, which have received around $3.5 billion in investment since 2019 in an effort to make food delivery better, faster and cheaper, according to research provider PitchBook.”

From Wall Street Journal.