Serve Robotics tops Fast Company’s tech list with Gen3 delivery robots

Serve Robotics has secured the top spot in Fast Company’s “Next Big Things in Tech” list for the Robotics and Automation category, highlighting its third-generation autonomous sidewalk delivery robot. The recognition validates Serve’s position in the expanding last-mile logistics market as the company scales toward its goal of deploying 2,000 robots across major U.S. cities by the end of 2025.

What you should know: Serve’s third-generation robot represents a significant leap in autonomous delivery capabilities compared to previous models.

• The Gen3 robot operates nearly twice as fast, travels double the distance, runs six additional hours per day, and carries larger cargo loads than earlier versions.
• Enhanced safety features include fail-safe mechanical brakes, autonomous collision avoidance, and an emergency braking system that stops 40% faster.
• Since production began in October 2024, Serve has deployed 1,000 Gen3 robots across Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami.

Strategic partnerships: Serve is expanding its reach through collaborations with major delivery platforms to optimize robot utilization and boost revenue.

• In October 2024, the company announced a partnership with DoorDash, a leading food delivery platform, to integrate autonomous delivery robots into DoorDash’s food delivery ecosystem, starting in Los Angeles.
• This builds on Serve’s existing years-long partnership with Uber Eats, broadening the company’s market presence and increasing order volumes for its robot fleet.
• The company also maintains delivery partnerships with enterprise clients including 7-Eleven.

The big picture: Serve Robotics, spun off from Uber in 2021, has positioned itself as a leader in AI-powered, low-emissions sidewalk delivery solutions.

• The company has completed tens of thousands of deliveries and holds scalable multi-year contracts for robot deployment across multiple U.S. markets.
• Serve trades on Nasdaq under the ticker SERV and is targeting sustainable and economical delivery solutions for the growing last-mile logistics sector.

What they’re saying: CEO Dr. Ali Kashani emphasized the recognition as validation of the team’s innovation efforts.

• “Receiving this prestigious award from Fast Company is a testament to the dedication and ingenuity of our team,” Kashani said.
• “Developing our third-generation robot required years of innovation and collaboration. This recognition validates our engineers, designers and operations teams for making autonomous delivery safer, more efficient and sustainable.”