Pennsylvania ShopRite customers in Yardley and Bethlehem can now receive same-day delivery via battery-powered delivery robots. The robots “rolled” out as part of a pilot program between Wakefern, the retailer-owned cooperative, and technology company Tortoise, which provides last-mile delivery options.
ShopRite is the first supermarket on the east coast to utilize the Tortoise delivery technology.
The zero-emissions carts have an average speed of three miles per hour (the company is called “Tortoise” after all) and typically travel on sidewalks or on the side of the road. They are remote-controlled and can hold up to 150 pounds in four lockable containers that support ambient, chilled and frozen groceries. Customers are alerted via text when the cart arrives, and the text message can be used to unlock the cart.