TOKYO (ANN/JAPAN NEWS) – Rakuten Group Inc. has rolled out an unmanned delivery service in parts of Tokyo, starting with the Harumi district in Chuo Ward, marking a step forward in the city’s smart logistics efforts.
Launched on November 6, the service allows customers to order food and daily necessities from participating supermarkets and shops via a dedicated smartphone platform. Deliveries are made by robots to 62 designated drop-off points, including parks, office buildings, and apartment complexes.
The service covers the entire Harumi district and extends to parts of Tsukishima and Kachidoki, also within Chuo Ward. Customers can choose from over 5,300 items offered by local outlets, including Starbucks Coffee Co., Yoshinoya Co., and Bunka-do supermarket. A delivery fee of JPY100, inclusive of tax, is added to the cost of the items.
The robots travel autonomously along predefined routes but are remotely controlled at crossings and other potential hazard zones to ensure safety. This marks Rakuten’s first foray into unmanned delivery services in Tokyo.
Rakuten aims to expand the service area and include more partnering stores as it refines its technology and operations, signaling a broader shift towards automated delivery solutions in Japan’s urban centers.
