Kroger Launch Driverless Grocery Delivery in Houston

The autonomous grocery delivery service from Kroger and robotics company Nuro will be available in Houston this Spring. The driverless vehicle will begin the deliveries in two Kroger stores, reaching customers residing in four local zip codes.

Since August 2018, Kroger and Nuro have operated a first-of-its-kind self-driving grocery delivery service in Scottsdale, AZ, servicing a single zip code with an autonomous vehicle fleet.

“Our Arizona pilot program confirmed the flexibility and benefits provided by autonomous vehicles and how much customers are open to more innovative solutions,” said Yael Cosset, Kroger’s chief digital officer. “It’s always been our shared vision to scale this initiative to new markets, using world-changing technology to enable a new type of delivery service for our customers.

In late 2018, the partnership expanded to include Nuro’s custom vehicle, R1, marking the nation’s first fully unmanned delivery service available to the general public. The pilot proved the companies’ combined technology and digital expertise can transform the grocery delivery experience, according to a press release.

Kroger and Nuro have successfully and safely completed thousands of deliveries to customers in Scottsdale. With the upcoming launch, Kroger and Nuro will transfer the autonomous grocery delivery program to Houston for the next phase of the pilot.

“We operate 102 stores in Houston, an energetic market that embraces digital and technology advancement. The launch is one more way we are committed to sustainably providing our customers with anything, anytime, and anywhere, the way they want it,” added Cosset.

Related Article: Unmanned Vehicles Start Delivering Groceries

The driverless grocery deliveries will be offered at the stores on South Post Oak Road and Buffalo Speedway. Houston residents living in the zip code areas 77401, 77096, 77005 or 77025 can use the service.  

“We’ve seen first-hand in Arizona how enthusiastic customers are about getting their Kroger groceries delivered by a Nuro self-driving vehicle,” said Nuro co-founder, Dave Ferguson. “Texas has been a leader in encouraging self-driving innovation, and we’re excited to help deliver that future for Houston, a dynamic, diverse, and welcoming metropolitan city that we’re excited to soon explore and serve with this autonomous delivery service.”

Customers can place orders for delivery via Kroger.com or the Kroger app, seven days a week. Grocery orders can be scheduled for same-day or next-day delivery and the flat fee is $5.95.