DoorDash brings proprietary delivery robot to new market
DoorDash is expanding its usage of an in-house-developed autonomous delivery system.
The on-demand delivery provider is now offering delivery in the Fremont, Calif. market via "Dot," an autonomous robot built by DoorDash to travel on bike lanes, roads, sidewalks and driveways that is specifically designed for local delivery. DoorDash publicly unveiled Dot, which is manufactured by partner Sonic Manufacturing Technologies in Fremont, in September 2025.
[READ MORE: DoorDash launches proprietary delivery robot]
At one-tenth the size of an average car, Dot can reach speeds of up to 20 mph with an all-electric design and can use artificial intelligence to optimize its delivery route. Dot’s rollout began with an early access program in Tempe and Mesa, Ariz., and DoorDash plans to continue implementing the delivery robot in other markets over time.
"Fremont is a city that builds things: Advanced technology, world-class manufacturing, and now, the next generation of autonomous delivery with Dot," said DoorDash Labs’ Harrison Shih. "And we believe in the power of automation to expand opportunity and connect the city. For Fremont restaurants, they will be able to reach more customers, more efficiently. For consumers, it means another convenient, sustainable way to support local favorites. For the city of Fremont, it means fewer short car trips and stronger local commerce. We’re proud to be building the future here and proud to celebrate the entrepreneurs who make this city thrive."
DoorDash tests third-party robots, drones
In April 2025, DoorDash expanded a pilot its international arm Wolt had been running in Helsinki, Finland with emissions-free Coco Robotics sidewalk delivery robots to Los Angeles and Chicago. Since then the company has been using the same sidewalk delivery robots to execute deliveries from DashMart, its owned and operated convenience, grocery, and retail store, in Miami.
According to DoorDash, robotic delivery is part of a broader global multi-modal delivery platform strategy that integrates human drivers, drones, and autonomous robots in an effort to meet increasing demand while lowering costs and emissions.
In 2024, DoorDash began allowing select local consumers in Christianburg, Va. to order eligible menu items from Wendy’s and have them delivered via drones from Wing, the on-demand drone delivery provider powered by Google parent company Alphabet.
This pilot followed a test program DoorDash and Wing launched in Australia in 2022 and has since expanded to three locations with over 60 participating retailers.
DoorDash’s deployment of Dot in Fremont is subject to an encroachment permit ensuring compliance with municipal code and public safety standards. Based on DoorDash’s experience with autonomous delivery in other cities, the company has a standardized operating plan and incidence response procedure and will have speed limitations. The current encroachment permit would extend for approximately one year through March 2027.
