Picture this: you’re relaxing at home, craving a hot pizza, and instead of a delivery driver knocking at your door, a small, boxy robot trundles up your driveway, pizza in tow.
It might sound like something out of The Jetsons, but in many parts of the world, this is already a reality.
So, why aren’t we seeing these futuristic food couriers zipping down Australian footpaths just yet? And could that change soon?
Robots on the rise: What’s happening overseas?
Across the globe, delivery robots are becoming an increasingly common sight.
In cities like Los Angeles, companies such as Serve Robotics and Coco have partnered with food delivery giants like Uber Eats and DoorDash to send fleets of robots scurrying along footpaths, delivering everything from sushi to groceries.
In Europe, cities in Sweden, Finland, and the UK have embraced these ‘lockers on wheels’, with customers able to order meals via apps and have them delivered by autonomous robots.
These robots are designed to navigate busy urban environments, using an array of sensors to avoid obstacles and keep to low speeds (usually under 10km/h).
They’re not just a novelty—they’re helping to reduce traffic congestion, cut pollution, and lower delivery costs.
Why is Australia lagging behind?
Despite our love of new gadgets and a national obsession with takeaway, Australia has been slow to adopt delivery robots. The main reason? A legal and regulatory minefield.
Unlike drone deliveries—which have been trialled in parts of Melbourne and south-east Queensland—the legal status of ground-based delivery robots is murky.
Our road and footpath laws vary from state to state, and there’s little clarity about where, how, or even if these robots can operate.
As Christine Eldridge, a solicitor specialising in motor vehicle accidents, points out, ‘Legislation in respect of compensation claims and responsibility doesn’t really contemplate robots. The laws don’t keep pace with technology.’
This uncertainty makes companies hesitant to invest in robot delivery services here. As Professor Hussein Dia from Swinburne University notes, ‘There isn’t anything in law to say they are allowed, but there’s also nothing saying they’re banned.’ In other words, it’s a classic case of the law lagging behind innovation.
The benefits: More than just a gimmick
If we can overcome the legal hurdles, delivery robots could offer real advantages. In dense urban areas, they could replace cars for short trips, reducing pollution and easing traffic. They’re also a potential solution to rising labour costs and staff shortages, especially for repetitive, short-distance deliveries.
Professor Michael Bell from the University of Sydney’s Institute of Transport and Logistics Studies believes that while Australia’s sprawling cities and lower population density make widespread adoption challenging, there are still plenty of opportunities.
For example, robots could be used to ferry food across university campuses, deliver parcels in large apartment complexes, or transport goods in hospitals and shopping centres.
As Associate Professor Kate Letheren from the Australian Catholic University points out, robots could eventually lead to cheaper and more flexible delivery options, with tiered pricing based on whether a human, a drone, or a robot delivers your order.
Potential pitfalls: Not all smooth sailing
Of course, new technology brings new challenges. Making deliveries cheaper and more accessible could mean we end up ordering more takeaway—not great news for our waistlines or public health.
There are also concerns about how robots will interact with pedestrians, especially in busy areas. Will they get in the way? Will people try to tamper with them?
As Professor Dia notes, ‘There is already a tension between pedestrians and e-scooter riders, so you could expect some tension if someone hungry is walking late at night and tries to tackle a robot to get a hold of a pizza.’
Local innovation: Australia’s homegrown robots
Despite the legal grey area, Australian innovators aren’t sitting on their hands. At Monash University, a team of student engineers has developed ‘Ari’, a delivery robot designed for private environments like campuses and industrial parks.
Ari uses a network of sensors to navigate, and features temperature-controlled compartments to keep food hot or cold—so your pizza arrives piping hot and your ice-cream stays frozen.
Ari is already delivering burgers and burritos across Monash’s Clayton campus, and its inventors are looking to commercialise the technology. By focusing on private spaces, they’re sidestepping the legal headaches of public footpaths—at least for now.
What’s next?
The federal government is working on a legal framework for autonomous vehicles, with new laws expected in 2026.
If these laws are forward-thinking, we could see a wave of robot deliveries in the years to come. But as with any new technology, public acceptance will be key.
Will Australians embrace robots as part of daily life, or will we stick to the tried-and-true human delivery driver?
Have your say
Would you trust a robot to deliver your dinner? Do you think delivery robots would make life easier, or are you worried about safety and job losses? Have you seen any delivery robots in action, either here or overseas? We’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
Also read: Fighting loneliness in aged care: Get to know the colourful AI robot named Abi
