Delivery Robots Just Got Smarter in LA and Chicago

Imagine a delivery robot that learned its job the hard way: by driving through Miami floods, Chicago snowstorms, and LA rush hour traffic.

That's exactly what happened with Coco 2, the latest delivery robot from Coco Robotics. Unlike earlier models that needed a human watching remotely to jump in when things got tricky, this new version handles complicated situations on its own.

The robots trained by racking up millions of real-world miles across major cities. Every flooded street, icy sidewalk, and unexpected pedestrian taught the entire fleet something new.

"Every mile our robots have driven has made the whole fleet smarter," said Zach Rash, CEO and Co-Founder of Coco Robotics. The company designed these four-wheeled helpers for grocers, pharmacies, and local shops that need to move goods quickly across town.

The upgrade goes beyond just better navigation. Coco 2 can now use bike lanes and certain roads where it's legal, cutting delivery times in half compared to sidewalk-only routes.

Before hitting real pavement, the robots practice in digital simulations of busy streets. They dodge virtual pedestrians and navigate tricky intersections using NVIDIA's technology, learning from scenarios they might face in the real world.

The Ripple Effect

Once on actual streets, the robots make split-second decisions using onboard processors instead of checking with cloud servers. That means faster reactions when a kid on a skateboard suddenly appears or a car door swings open.

The system works because every robot shares what it learns with the whole fleet. When one Coco 2 figures out how to handle a construction detour in Chicago, robots in Los Angeles instantly know that trick too.

Local businesses stand to benefit most. Small pharmacies and corner stores can now offer delivery speeds that used to require hiring drivers or paying premium service fees.

The robots also keep running in weather that would send human delivery workers home. Rain, snow, or heat waves barely slow them down, meaning medications and groceries still arrive on time.

This technology means your neighborhood shop can compete with giant retailers on delivery speed and convenience.