Kroger is turning to autonomous cars to solve the last-mile problem for groceries
The largest supermarket chain in the US is partnering with robotic-vehicle startup Nuro to put food on your table.
The hardest mile: E-commerce giants have been looking for the best way to get packages to consumers’ doors for a while. But the so-called last-mile problem is even tougher for grocers, as food tends to be fragile and perishable.
Pretend I’m not here: Kroger is rolling out a test of autonomous last-mile delivery this fall. Human drivers will be in the front seat, but they won’t help you unload the groceries—the company wants to make its test as authentic as possible.
Why it matters: Kroger is leaning hard into its online ordering and delivery services. Last month it announced it was investing in the online grocer Ocado, and it plans to use some of Ocado’s automation tech in its warehouses. Meanwhile, its digital sales rose 66 percent in the last quarter.
Keep Reading
Most Popular
Large language models can do jaw-dropping things. But nobody knows exactly why.
And that's a problem. Figuring it out is one of the biggest scientific puzzles of our time and a crucial step towards controlling more powerful future models.
The problem with plug-in hybrids? Their drivers.
Plug-in hybrids are often sold as a transition to EVs, but new data from Europe shows we’re still underestimating the emissions they produce.
How scientists traced a mysterious covid case back to six toilets
When wastewater surveillance turns into a hunt for a single infected individual, the ethics get tricky.
Google DeepMind’s new generative model makes Super Mario–like games from scratch
Genie learns how to control games by watching hours and hours of video. It could help train next-gen robots too.
Stay connected
Get the latest updates from
MIT Technology Review
Discover special offers, top stories, upcoming events, and more.