It’s been a superb couple of years for robotics and automation startups. With all the profitable funding and launches, it may be simple to lose sight of simply how tough operating a robotics firm will be. Maybe it shouldn’t be all that shocking that Chowbotics is shutting down, but it surely’s inconceivable to not distinction the latest information with the hopeful tone the corporate struck with its February 2021 acquisition by Doordash.
On its homepage late final week, Chowbotics introduced that it could be closing its doorways for good, stating, “DoorDash has made the choice to stop operations of the Chowbotics enterprise.” It goes on to supply some steerage for these companions at the moment in possession of the corporate’s salad-making robotic, Sally.
Picture Credit: Chowbotics
Doordash confirmed the information in an announcement supplied to DailyTech, noting,
Now we have determined to stop operation of the Chowbotics enterprise, efficient August thirty first, 2022. At DoorDash, we create an atmosphere to construct new merchandise and set excessive requirements to find out when to scale, proceed, or reduce investments. We’re at all times searching for new methods to serve our retailers, exceed shoppers’ more and more greater expectations, and complement our logistics infrastructure.
It appears seemingly Chowbotics’ robotic kiosks simply weren’t the suitable match for the meals supply service. Doordash was flying excessive amid pandemic-fueled deliveries when it made the acquisition, and maybe finally thought higher of increasing its footprint. Sadly, Chowbotics is a casualty of that decision-making a mere 17 months after the deal was introduced.
Early workers of Chowbotics with salads made by Sally, the meals service robotic.
“Becoming a member of the DoorDash workforce unlocks new prospects for Chowbotics and the know-how that this workforce has constructed over the previous seven years,” Chowbotics , Rick Wilmer, mentioned on the time. “Because the chief in meals supply and on-demand logistics, DoorDash has the unparalleled attain and experience to assist us develop and deploy our know-how extra broadly, so collectively, we will make recent, nutritious meals simple for extra folks.”
Wilmer was promoted to move of robotics for DoorDash, following the acquisition. The mother or father firm had bold plans to develop Sally’s footprint, however the late-August timeline seems to mark the top of life for eight-year-old robotics agency. No coincidence that EV charging community ChargePoint introduced this morning that it has introduced Wilmer on as Chief Buyer and Working Officer.