News

Domino's, Ford take self-driving delivery tests to Miami metro

February 28, 2018

Domino's Pizza and Ford have begun a two-month second round of testing on a self-driving delivery vehicle in Miami, according to a news release. These tests will use lessons learned in the first set of tests and add "the element of delivery in a larger, urban setting."

Domino's Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Kevin Vasconi said the first tests in Ann Arbor, Michigan,confirmed that this delivery option is of interest to the chain's customers. 

"Our testing is focused on the last 50 feet of the customer experience, between the front door and the car," Vasconi said in the release. "While we work to refine that interaction, we also need to understand how operating this type of delivery in a more densely populated city will impact the customer experience and the specific delivery challenges it might present."

This Miami tests are using a Ford Fusion Hybrid vehicle that is manually driven but made to appear as if it's a self-driving vehicle. It is being used to make deliveries from a Miami Domino's to customers, who ordered online and said they would take part in the testing. 

Those customers will be able to track the vehicle via GPS and receive text messages as the vehicle approaches. Text messaging will also tell customers how to unlock the chain's pizza compartment inside the car using a PIN code. 

"We're a brand that believes in innovation, continuous improvement and rigorous testing to benefit our customers," said Vasconi. "As the automotive world evolves towards self-driving vehicles, we hope to put ourselves in a leading position by bringing our customers the delivery option that best meets their needs, now and in the future."

Additional information about the actual self-driving vehicles and their development was not provided. The first tests took place last summer.