Serve’s latest delivery robots use NVIDIA’s Jetson Orin module with 5x more onboard computing power for autonomous navigation. | Source: Serve Robotics
Serve Robotics Inc. last week announced the launch of its service in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplitan area. The company said the strategic expansion, in continued partnership with Uber Eats, represents a major milestone in its plan to deploy AI-powered delivery robots across the U.S. by the end of 2025.
“Texas is known for doing things bigger and better, and we’re excited to offer a smarter, more efficient way to get your favorite meals delivered in Dallas,” stated Dr. Ali Kashani, co-founder and CEO of Serve Robotics. “Our entry into the Dallas–Fort Worth market is an important step on our path to scaling as a national platform.”
Spun off from Uber in 2021, Serve Robotics said it has completed tens of thousands of deliveries for enterprise partners such as Uber Eats and 7-Eleven. The company added that it has scalable multi-year contracts, including its signed agreement to deploy up to 2,000 delivery robots on the Uber Eats platform across multiple U.S. markets.
Dallas-Fort Worth merchants welcome robots
“Dallas-Fort Worth is the fourth-largest metro area in the U.S.—and among the fastest growing,” noted Serve Robotics. “The area has a well-developed sidewalk infrastructure and a history of welcoming innovation.”
The Redwood City, Calif.-based company said it has established relationships with local stakeholders. It claimed that the expansion will create jobs, including operations and maintenance roles, and contribute to the local economy.
Serve robots have begun operating in the Uptown neighborhoods of Pearl, State Thomas, West Village, and South Routh, reaching more than 22,000 new households. Customers placing orders through the Uber Eats app in these areas may now receive their meals through autonomous delivery robots.
Participating Uber Eats merchants who have opted in to Serve robotic delivery include Ka Thai and many others. Serve’s national delivery partnership with Shake Shack will also extend to Dallas.
“We’re excited to partner with Serve as they begin operating in DFW, proving that everything really is better in Texas, including food delivery,” said Derek Ho, general manager of Ka Thai. “This technology will allow us to bring Ka Thai to customers who we might not have been able to reach otherwise.”
Recent funding fuels Serve Robotics’ rapid expansion
The Dallas-Fort Worth launch follows several recent expansions for Serve, which included service expansions in Los Angeles and a new market launch in Miami. It also recently expanded its existing partnership with Shake Shack Inc. and established a partnership with Mister O1 Extraordinary Pizza.
“Our ongoing partnership with Serve Robotics is a key part in our mission of making food delivery as convenient as possible,” said Megan Jensen, head of autonomous delivery operations at Uber. “We look forward to expanding our autonomous deliveries in Dallas Fort-Worth to continue delighting customers with fast, convenient delivery.”
Serve raised $86 million in December, bringing its total gross proceeds raised in 2024 to $167 million. The startup said it has raised $220 million in total funding, including $13 million in 2021, $30 million in a 2023 reverse merger, and a $40 million initial public offering in early 2024.
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