Just Eat has launched a UK trial of delivery robots, rolling out autonomous ground deliveries in Bristol and Milton Keynes, ahead of the Valentine’s Day rush.

The rapid food delivery service’s new small-scale trial will see robots from Delivers.AI operating in Bristol and RIVR robots in Milton Keynes, working with 10 independent restaurant brands.

The robots, branded in Just Eat’s orange logo, will deliver orders directly from local high street restaurants to customers’ doors.

Just Eat said the move comes as Valentine’s Day traditionally drives higher order volumes for local takeaways, with the South West recording the biggest uplift in orders on Valentine’s Day last year, while breakfast and dessert categories saw demand rise by 10% and 14% respectively.

The UK trial also follows an earlier pilot in Switzerland, where nearly 1,000 robot deliveries have been completed, marking an European first by trialling the new generation of delivery ‘robo dogs‘ equipped with “physical AI”.

Alongside ground robotics, Just Eat is also trialling drone deliveries in Ireland as part of its wider push into autonomous last-mile logistics.

The company said autonomous delivery offers potential benefits including improved service during peak trading periods and the ability to reach more remote locations.

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Mert Öztekin, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Just Eat, said: “We’re always innovating to improve the delivery experience for our customers. To trial ground robotics we’ve teamed up with two expert organisations to ensure that we’re learning and working with the very best.”

He added: “For those in Bristol and Milton Keynes who love tech – what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a robot delivery from your favourite local.”

Oral Yigitkus, CTO and Founder at Delivers.AI, added that the partnership would help demonstrate how ground robotics can complement existing delivery networks while supporting local high streets.

The robotics trial comes a month after Just Eat’s recent launch of a voice AI assistant in the UK, designed to assist shoppers with “choice overload”.