In the world of food delivery, technological advancements continue to revolutionise the way we order and receive our favourite meals. In 2024, apps are leveraging AI-powered solutions more than ever to enhance user experiences and streamline operations.
From personalised recommendations to more efficient delivery logistics, here are five food delivery apps are at the forefront of this change.
Uber Eats
Uber Eats is a popular food delivery app that utilizes AI-powered technology to optimize delivery routes and estimate delivery times accurately. The app uses machine learning algorithms to analyse customer preferences and suggest personalized food options. Additionally, last year, it announced plans to roll out an AI-powered assistant to help users find deals and explore different food options. The AI chatbot can answer users’ questions, give recommendations as well as reorder past meals.
DoorDash
DoorDash is another delivery app that leverages AI technology to improve the efficiency of its delivery operations. The app uses predictive analytics to anticipate peak delivery times and allocate resources accordingly, ensuring timely deliveries for customers. DoorDash recently launched its AI-powered voice ordering technology that allows restaurants to increase their sales by answering all of the calls they receive. The system will also provide customers with curated recommendations to complement their meal. Another new feature, SafeChat+, uses AI to review in-app conversations to detect and prevent verbal abuse or harassment, addressing a common safety issue.
Grubhub
Grubhub is a food delivery app that incorporates AI-powered technology to enhance the user experience. The app uses natural language processing to understand customer preferences and provide personalised recommendations for restaurants and dishes. It recently started adding Amazon’s Just Walk Out Technology to partnered campuses in the U.S. enabling students to enter a store by scanning a QR code in the Grubhub app, while the technology then detects what shoppers take from or return to the shelves. When students have completed shopping, they are able to leave the store and the payment will automatically be deducted from their meal plan, declining account balance or other stored payment methods linked to their Grubhub account.
Instacart
Instacart is a grocery delivery app that employs AI-powered technology to provide a seamless shopping experience for customers. The app uses computer vision technology to accurately identify and categorise grocery items, ensuring accurate and efficient deliveries. Additionally, Instacart recently unveiled several updates to its AI-powered Caper Carts, which are already being deployed by retailers in stores across the U.S. These include improvements to the speed and precision of camera and weight sensors on the latest version of Caper Carts as well as the ability to order ‘made-to-order’ items like deli sandwiches directly from the smart carts. This means customers can order as they browse the aisles and no longer have to walk over to the deli counter or bakery, or wait in line.
Postmates
Postmates is a delivery app that harnesses the power of AI technology to streamline its delivery process. The app uses machine learning algorithms to optimise delivery routes and minimise delivery times. In addition, Serve Robotics, a spin-off of Postmates, which Uber acquired, recently raised $30 million in financing for it’s AI-powered autonomous delivery solution. This brought the company’s total funds raised to over $56 million since 2021 helping it to further scale its robotic fleet to meet rapidly-increasing customer demand for last mile automation.
