‘Smart city’ in Georgia pilots underground robot delivery

Select workers in a small city in the metro-Atlanta area can now have lunch delivered via autonomous robots that avoid traffic.

Peachtree Corners, a “smart city” featuring connected physical infrastructure and 5G wireless networking, is partnering with underground logistics network Pipedream and Internet of Things (IoT) laboratory Curiosity Lab to provide below-ground autonomous robot delivery to employees at Curiosity Lab’s 25,000-sq.-ft. innovation center in Peachtree Corners.

Peachtree Corners is the first city to launch and install the underground logistics solution, which spans almost one mile and connects a shopping center to Curiosity Lab's innovation center. Curiosity Lab employees will be able to order food from a handful of restaurants and select convenience items on-demand, Monday through Friday, during peak lunch hours. 

Pipedream's logistics network leverages a physical, underground infrastructure in which delivery robots travel back and forth to transport food, packages, groceries, household goods and other items. 

Fast food retailer The Wendy’s Company is also piloting an underground autonomous robot system from Pipedream that will deliver digital food orders from the restaurant kitchen to designated parking spots in seconds, using autonomous robots to transport orders underground and deliver at a car-side instant pickup portal.

According to Pipedream, its autonomous robotics system offers benefits such as the elimination of carbon emissions, the reduction of traffic congestion and noise pollution the minimization of vehicular accidents and cheaper, faster delivery of goods.

"By bringing the delivery system underground and directly to the customer, Pipedream is showcasing the future of logistics technology that will not only bring added convenience to our residents and businesses but also reduce traffic, noise and emissions from delivery vehicles on our roads," said Brandon Branham, assistant city manager and CTO of Peachtree Corners. "The autonomous robot delivery system in Peachtree Corners is a continuation of what we've been able to achieve as an integrated smart city, utilizing smart infrastructure and the more innovative new technology to create a more sustainable, efficient and equitable community for all."

"Pipedream is about embracing innovation to put the needs of communities first, with this first real-world installation we have proven that underground delivery is not only possible today but easy to retrofit," said Garrett McCurrach, CEO of Pipedream. "Underground delivery feels like something just teleported into your living room, and thanks to the leadership of Peachtree Corners in pushing forward and implementing smart city world-first technologies and infrastructure, this is a reality today. We're excited for people to experience that here at the Curiosity Lab, and are planning to bring it to many more cities over the next couple of years."

Peachtree Corners has more than 45,000 residents and is the site of 45,000 jobs. Curiosity Lab is a 5G-enabled intelligent mobility and smart city living laboratory, owned and operated by the City of Peachtree Corners.