Yandex Uzbekistan plans to deploy robots to deliver Yandex Lavka orders in Tashkent by the end of 2026, company head Izzat Shukurov said.
“We hope to launch deliveries by the end of the year. The delivery robots are currently going through the necessary testing stages,” Shukurov said in response to a query.
He said the robots will deliver groceries, ready meals and everyday essentials, and will be assigned only routes where they can meet the service’s delivery-time requirements.
Depending on the pilot’s results, the company plans to expand the project in stages, including using robots for orders from other services in the Yandex Uzbekistan ecosystem and offering the service to other companies.
Users will see an estimated arrival time in the app when they place an order. The robot is designed for deliveries of up to two kilometers and moves at walking pace.
The company said the robots use lidar and ultrasonic sensors, and an onboard computing system processes the data, detects traffic lights and predicts the movement of nearby objects. This allows the robot to choose its own route, avoid obstacles and cross at pedestrian crossings.
Six drive wheels let it negotiate curbs up to 10 centimeters high and uneven surfaces. The company said the robots can also operate in rain.
Asked how the robot copes with emergencies, the company said it can handle most situations on its own and contacts a remote operator in non-standard cases. The company advised against lifting or moving it by hand because it is heavy. People can reach the support service via a QR code on its body.
Preparations for the project first became known in July, when robots were seen on Tashkent’s streets. Yandex Uzbekistan confirmed then that it was testing them for Yandex Lavka deliveries.
Stay up to date with all the latest news:
