Kroger to Pilot Fully Autonomous Grocery Delivery Experience

CINCINNATI — The Kroger Co., America's largest supermarket retailer, has entered into a new partnership with Nuro to pilot an on-road, fully autonomous grocery delivery experience.

Kroger and Nuro, maker of the world's first fully unmanned road vehicle, want to make grocery delivery accessible and affordable for consumers who are eager to use the convenient service. 

Through the partnership, consumers will be able to place same-day delivery orders using Kroger's ClickList ordering system, as well as Nuro's app. The orders will be delivered by Nuro's fleet of autonomous vehicles.

"We are incredibly excited about the potential of our innovative partnership with Nuro to bring the future of grocery delivery to customers today," said Yael Cosset, Kroger's chief digital officer. "As part of Restock Kroger, we have already started to redefine the grocery customer experience and expand the coverage area for our anything, anytime and anywhere offering. Partnering with Nuro, a leading technology company, will create customer value by providing Americans access to fast and convenient delivery at a fair price."

This will be the first application and deployment of Nuro's hardware and software. The pilot is expected to begin this fall, with the chosen market announced soon.

"Unmanned delivery will be a game-changer for local commerce and, together with Kroger, we're thrilled to test this new delivery experience to bring grocery customers new levels of convenience and value," said Dave Ferguson, co-founder of Nuro. "Our safe, reliable and affordable service, combined with Kroger's ubiquitous brand, is a powerful first step in our mission to accelerate the benefits of robotics for everyday life."

Kroger's expansive retail footprint consists of 2,800 stores under a variety of banner names in 35 states.