How do delivery robots pick up orders from restaurants?
The pickup handoff is the moment a physical robot collects an order. Deploy Ground standardizes how robots find restaurants, confirm readiness, and coordinate the exchange.
The pickup sequence
The robot fleet's operations agent queries Deploy Ground for nearby restaurants where robot_activity_score is above zero, indicating an active corridor.
The agent calls get_state on the chosen restaurant to confirm it is currently open and accepting orders.
The agent places the order via attempt_order or create_order. The restaurant receives a notification and confirms. A prep time estimate is returned.
The robot dispatches from its staging area and navigates to the restaurant address, timing arrival based on the prep estimate.
Staff bring the order to the handoff point specified in handoff_instructions. The robot's cargo compartment opens and the order is loaded.
The robot departs and delivers to the end customer. The order status updates automatically via the get_order_status tool.
What restaurants actually need to know
No special hardware required. Robots handle their own navigation. The only thing a restaurant needs to provide is a handoff point and confirmation that orders are ready.
Handoff instructions
"rear entrance, buzz 3"
A short note telling robots where to wait. Takes 30 seconds to fill in.
Phone number
for order notifications
Texts arrive when a robot places an order. Tap to accept or decline.
Prep time estimate
optional
Helps robots time arrival. Defaults to 15 minutes if left blank.
Which robots use Deploy Ground
Serve Robotics
LA (West Hollywood, Santa Monica), Dallas, Miami
Uber Eats partner. Sidewalk autonomous delivery.
Coco Robotics
LA, SF, Chicago, Miami
Teleoperated and autonomous sidewalk robots. Direct merchant relationships.
Avride
Austin, Nashville, Jersey City
Autonomous sidewalk and campus delivery. Grubhub partner.
Access profile data robots read
Every Deploy Ground listing includes an access profile that robots check before dispatching. You fill it in once; robots use it on every pickup.
handoff_modesWhere and how the handoff happens
hand_to_robot, counter_pickup, locker, drop_zone
staging_okWhether the robot can wait near the entrance
true / false
handoff_instructionsExact directions for the robot operator
free text
entrance_typeWhich entrance robots should use
street_direct, rear_alley, loading_dock...
step_freeWhether the entrance is accessible to wheeled robots
true / false
Full protocol spec at /ground/protocol.
DEPLOY Ground
Make your restaurant robot-accessible today.
Claim your listing, add your handoff instructions, and go live. Robots in active corridors will find you on their next run.
Free to claim. No credit card required.
Frequently asked questions
Do delivery robots come inside restaurants?
No. Sidewalk robots wait at the entrance or a designated handoff point. Staff bring the order out and place it in the robot's cargo compartment. The handoff_instructions field in your Deploy Ground listing tells the robot exactly where to wait.
What if the order is not ready when the robot arrives?
Robots are designed to wait. The operations agent monitors prep time estimates from the listing's prep_time_p50_min field and times arrival accordingly. If the order is delayed, the robot holds position and the ops platform is notified.
Which cities have sidewalk delivery robots?
Active US sidewalk robot corridors include Los Angeles (West Hollywood, Santa Monica), San Francisco (Mission, Hayes Valley), Austin (downtown, UT campus), Miami (Brickell, Wynwood), Chicago (River North, Lincoln Park), and parts of Phoenix, Dallas, and Atlanta.
How do I get my restaurant listed for robot pickup?
Claim your Deploy Ground listing at deploy.report/ground/onboard. Sign in with Google, enter your business name and city, and add a phone number for order notifications. You can add handoff instructions to tell robots where to wait. Takes under 5 minutes.