Nuro, an autonomous delivery vehicle startup, has announced that it will begin delivering Domino’s pizzas to clients in select areas of Houston starting this week. The partnership was established in 2019 and represents Nuro’s first major deal targeting restaurant delivery services.  

Domino’s customers ordering from the Woodland Heights location will be able to request that Nuro’s R2 robots deliver their orders during specific days and times. The R2 robots employ 360-degree cameras, thermal imaging, and radar to navigate roads and arrive at their destination safely. Clients can track the robot’s location while en route and use a predetermined PIN to access their order upon arrival.

The R2 robots provide contactless delivery, allowing Nuro to capitalize on the growing trend of automated services focused on reducing human contact, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. The company is also the first of its kind to be granted approval by the U.S. Department of Transportation for a self-driving vehicle exemption.

In addition to the partnership with Domino’s, Nuro has also entered into agreements with Walmart, Krogers, and CVS to deliver consumer goods autonomously. The company has also secured $500 million in Series C funding from investors, including Chipotle and Toyota’s innovation-focused subsidiary, Woven Capital, to continue its expansion.