FAST food giant Domino’s is to trial pizza delivery robots in New Zealand, it said Friday, describing the high-tech, driverless units as a world first.

    In a move enthusiastically backed by the New Zealand Government, Domino’s said it was working with authorities on plans to roll out its DRU (Domino’s Robotic Unit).

    The four-wheeler, developed in Australia, is just under a meter high and contains a heated compartment that can hold up to 10 pizzas.

    It is battery powered and uses on-board sensors to avoid obstacles, with Domino’s saying it can deliver pizzas within a 20-kilometer radius of a store before returning to recharge.

    Customers are given a code when they order, which they enter onto a keypad to unlock the compartment containing their pizza.

    The robot uses GPS for navigation and can sense and avoid obstacles as it travels. It is designed to travel on bike paths or footpaths and can reach speeds of 12 mph (19.3 kmph).

    The base of the machine was developed by Marathon Targets, a robotics startup that makes equipment for live fire training.

    “We are proud to also be part of this world-first innovation in pizza-delivery technology,” Marathon said in a statement.

    “DRU is cheeky and endearing and we are confident that one day he will become an integral part of the Domino’s family,” the chain’s New Zealand general manager Scott Bush said.

    “He’s a road to the future and one that we are very excited about exploring further.”

    While addressing skepticism about factors such as vandalism and other concerns with DRU, Bush assured that the robot was more than just a gimmick.

    “It’s like most things: you look back at the original prototype of anything that ends up being successful, and you think wow, haven’t we come a long away?” Bush said. “I don’t doubt that this will be any different.”

    While a date for the trial is yet to be finalized, Transport Minister Simon Bridges said the government was working with Domino’s on the project and was keen for it to proceed.

    “This is an exciting opportunity for New Zealand ... over the last 12 months I’ve been actively and aggressively promoting New Zealand as a test bed for new transport technology trials,” he said.

    “If we see more of this, I think it would really enhance New Zealanders’ lifestyles: we’d be ahead of the curve, we’d be getting hold of advanced technologies earlier,” he said.

    (SD-Agencies)