As the world embraces robotic delivery, a team of students from Monash University in Australia is leading the way with a groundbreaking invention.
Their creation, called “Ari,” is a self-driving robot designed to keep food at the perfect temperature during delivery.
Whether it’s a steaming pizza or a chilled dessert, Ari can maintain both hot and cold conditions in separate compartments, a feature that sets it apart from any other delivery robot currently in use.
The project was developed by the Monash Connected Autonomous Vehicle team, a group of student engineers passionate about transforming food delivery.
Ari was unveiled at Monash University’s Clayton campus, where it impressed onlookers with its sleek design and practical features. Standing about one meter tall and wide, Ari resembles a high-tech cooler on wheels.
Its four lockable roller doors allow for multiple deliveries at once, while its electric, self-driving design ensures it can navigate busy areas like shopping centers, university campuses, festivals, and even medical or industrial sites with ease.
One of Ari’s key advantages is its ability to travel at 6 km/h along pedestrian-friendly routes like sidewalks and pathways.
This makes it both safe and efficient for urban environments. Ari’s developers also plan to introduce even more features in future versions, including advanced heating and cooling technology, autonomous charging, and interchangeable compartments.
This would allow the robot not only to deliver food but also to transport items like tools, hardware, and pharmaceuticals.
John Bui, a final-year Bachelor of Engineering student at Monash University, is one of the lead developers of Ari. He believes the robot could change how Australians experience on-demand delivery. “We wanted to create something affordable and practical that anyone could use, whether it’s a student on campus, a retailer in a busy shopping center, or a restaurateur,” Bui said.
He imagines a world where ordering a coffee or lunch doesn’t require a walk across a crowded campus or through a busy event. Instead, with a few taps on a phone, Ari would deliver the order directly to the customer. “This robot we’ve invented from scratch has brought us a step closer to the future of on-demand food delivery in Australia,” Bui added.
Ari’s developers are confident that its low-cost design and scalability make it an attractive option for many types of businesses, from local cafes and restaurants to large grocery stores. With its ability to keep food hot or cold while on the move, Ari could be the answer to ensuring that delivered food arrives in perfect condition—no more cold pizzas or melted ice cream.
As the technology continues to improve, Monash University’s engineering team is optimistic that Ari will soon become a familiar sight across Australia, revolutionizing the way people receive their meals and other essential items.
