AUSTIN, Texas — No need to be startled if you come across a mobile robot with no apparent operator, it’s likely just completing a food delivery. Refraction AI is testing out its self-driving technology at two Chick-fil-A restaurants in downtown Austin. The move to meal delivery bots would cut costs tremendously.

Self-driving bots are tele-operated and made to travel in the road's margin or a bike lane, unlike other bots that are met with sidewalk constraints. Refraction’s bots would avoid “safety, technology and cost challenges” that are usually expected of traditional delivery vehicles, offering 90% lower carbon emissions and 80% less energy consumption, according to Refraction AI.

“Autonomous delivery using Refraction’s robots creates an exciting new opportunity to extend the Chick-fil-A experience to a growing number of delivery guests,” said Luke Steigmeyer, operator of the Chick-fil-A  located at Sixth Street and Congress. “The platform will allow us to provide fast, high quality, and cost-effective meal delivery within a mile radius of our restaurant all while helping to keep the community we serve environmentally clean and safe.”

With labor shortages still being a problem, Refraction’s bots are designed to make up for that, while meeting growing delivery demands for restaurants, grocers and retailers using an affordable approach.

“We are thrilled about working with Chick-fil-A, an organization that is admired and respected as much for its commitment to the communities it serves, as it is for the innovation and quality of its business,” said Schneider. “We are kindred spirits partnering with Chick-fil-A restaurants to demonstrate a smart, sensible approach to delivery that continues a tradition of surprising and delighting guests.”

Johnson-Roberson added, “Refraction AI was founded as a way to unlock the many benefits of affordable, sustainable delivery using autonomy technology that is available today. Scaling the last-mile – making it work for our communities, restaurants, grocers and retailers – is a key step in the journey to a safer, cleaner, brighter future.”

Chick-fil-A has plans to carry on experimenting with Refraction’s bots after its trial with the Chick-fil-A on Sixth and Congress, seeing that its Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard location tests out the services in late June.