Self-driving delivery startup Nuro is partnering with Domino's to deliver pizzas in Houston— see how it works

Nuro's R2 vehicle.3
Nuro's R2 vehicle. Nuro
  • Nuro, a self-driving delivery startup, is partnering with Domino's for pizza delivery in Houston. 
  • Nuro creates electric autonomous vehicles that deliver goods from stores to customers' homes.
  • The California-based startup has previously partnered with other companies like Walmart and CVS Pharmacy.
  • Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
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Nuro, a self-driving delivery startup, is partnering with Domino's to deliver fresh pizzas to select customers around Houston.

Nuro's product fits squarely between the delivery and ecommerce industries that have boomed amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company specializes in developing electric autonomous vehicles that have one purpose: the transportation of products from a storefront to a customer's homes.

While this isn't an entirely novel concept, the California-based startup has been able to claim multiple firsts since the company was founded in 2016. Nuro's second generation vehicle, the R2, is the first autonomous vehicle that's legally allowed to operate without side mirrors or windshields. The R2 is also the first vehicle to have been autonomously driven in states like California, Texas, and Arizona.

Read more: A cofounder of the Softbank-funded self-driving startup Nuro reveals his plan to make money off delivery robots without charging fees

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According to a report by TechCrunch, Nuro now has a $5 billion valuation.

Nuro's R2 vehicle.3
Nuro's R2 vehicle. Nuro

Source: TechCrunch

Its latest $500 million round in November saw new investors like Baillie Gifford and Fidelity Management and Research, as well as existing investors like Greylock Partners and SoftBank Vision Fund 1.

Nuro driving on public road
Nuro on a public road. Nuro

Source: Nuro

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The autonomous vehicle can deliver a variety of goods to ease the need for running in-person errands, according to its maker.

Nuro and CVS Pharmacy
Nuro and CVS Pharmacy. Nuro

Source: Nuro

This is evident in the array of Nuro's partnerships, which include grocery delivery with Kroger and Walmart, prescription deliveries with CVS, and now pizza drop-offs with Domino's Pizza in Houston.

Nuro and Walmart.
Nuro and Walmart. Nuro
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The company previously operated in Houston in partnership with Kroger and CVS with the startup's R2 and first generation vehicle, a self-driving Prius.

Nuro's R2 vehicle.4
Nuro's R2 vehicle. Nuro

Source: Nuro

 

The electric self-driving R2 vehicle is reliant on artificial intelligence and an array of equipment to guide it on the streets. This will be the same vehicle shuttling pizzas from Domino's to customers' doorsteps.

Nuro's R2 vehicle.4
Nuro's R2 vehicle. Nuro
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The R2 is equipped with 12 cameras that provide a 360-degree view of its surroundings.

Nuro driving in traffic
Nuro in traffic. Nuro

It also has audio and light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensors and radars to help the vehicle better orient itself to its surroundings, according to its maker.

Nuro delivers to customers
Nuro dropping off orders to customers. Nuro

Source: Nuro

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The Nuro vehicles also operate at or under 25 mph for safety purposes.

Nuro's R2 vehicle.1
Nuro's R2 vehicle. Nuro

And because there are no passengers or steering equipment, the vehicle is lighter than a typical delivery car.

Nuro departing with an order for delivery
Nuro with a delivery order. Nuro
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Placing a delivery order with Nuro is similar to ordering food on platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats.

Nuro's R2 vehicle.2
Nuro's R2 vehicle. Nuro

Customers can make an online or in-app order and select a designated delivery time.

Nuro R1 filled with Dominos Products
Nuro and Domino's products. Nuro

Source: Nuro

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The customers can then track the vehicle's location, and when the order arrives at the destination's curbside, the user will receive a security code to open the cargo holding compartment.

Nuro and Walmart.gif
Nuro and Walmart. Nuro

Source: Nuro

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