A team of student engineers from Monash University has developed a new autonomous robot that could reshape the way food and goods are delivered in Australia, featuring what is believed to be a world-first innovation in temperature-controlled robotic delivery.
The electric robot, named ‘Ari’, was unveiled at Monash University’s Clayton campus by the Monash Connected Autonomous Vehicle (CAV) team, as revealed in a news release.
Designed and built by final-year engineering students, the self-driving unit is equipped with separate compartments that can keep food hot or cold during transit, a capability not previously available in other robotic delivery technologies.
The one-metre-tall and wide robot resembles a high-tech esky and is designed to deliver food and goods in environments such as university campuses, shopping centres, festivals, and even industrial and medical facilities.
Travelling at speeds of up to 6 km/h, Ari navigates pedestrian-friendly paths with the aid of advanced sensors to ensure safe and efficient travel.
With four lockable roller doors and a larger load capacity than traditional delivery robots, Ari aims to offer flexibility and practicality in a wide range of delivery contexts.
The Monash team has also outlined plans for future iterations of the robot to include features such as autonomous charging, interchangeable compartments, and extended use cases beyond food – such as the transport of tools or pharmaceuticals.
John Bui, a final-year Bachelor of Engineering student and member of the design team, said the project aimed to develop a low-cost, scalable solution for on-demand delivery.
“We wanted to create something affordable and practical that anyone could use, whether it’s a student on campus, a retailer in a busy shopping centre or a restaurateur,” Bui said.
“Imagine wanting a coffee but not wanting to walk across campus or across large events. With this robot, you could order on your phone and it’ll bring it to you. This robot we’ve invented from scratch has brought us a step closer to the future of on-demand food delivery in Australia,” he added.
According to the university, the development of Ari reflects growing global interest in autonomous delivery solutions, particularly those that can ensure food quality and safety during transport.
The project team includes Monash students Jason Angus, Shray Bagga, Dylan Gonzalez, Linal Wekadapola and John Bui.
