Pizza launching unit does not appear on the feature list
March 18, 2016 1:03 PM Subscribe
Autonomous vehicles have been extolled as the first step in a new driverless future, and now New Zealand and Domino's Pizza are experimenting with robotic, autonomous pizza delivery. Capable of carrying 10 pizzas and with a 20 mile km range, the Domino's Robotic Unit (DRU), described as "cheeky and endearing," was developed with technology from Marathon Robots, who also produce robotic live-fire targets. No word on whether a combination target-shooting/pizza-delivery unit will be forthcoming.
I'm pretty sure the target shooting component can be exercised by anyone seeing one of these flying overhead.
posted by hippybear at 1:18 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by hippybear at 1:18 PM on March 18, 2016
Wait, not flying overhead. Somehow my brain decided they were drones even after I looked at the article. Stupid brain!
posted by hippybear at 1:19 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by hippybear at 1:19 PM on March 18, 2016
HEAVENLY CHARIOT OF AMBROSIA DELIVER ME
posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:22 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Foci for Analysis at 1:22 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Countdown to pizza piracy - 10-9-8...
posted by lucasgonze at 1:23 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by lucasgonze at 1:23 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I imagine drones would be more vulnerable to interception by hungry people with nets.
posted by louche mustachio at 1:23 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by louche mustachio at 1:23 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
No word on whether a combination target-shooting/pizza-delivery unit will be forthcoming.
I'm at the Domino's
I'm at the shooting range
I'm at the combination Domino's and shooting range
posted by a car full of lions at 1:25 PM on March 18, 2016 [38 favorites]
I'm at the Domino's
I'm at the shooting range
I'm at the combination Domino's and shooting range
posted by a car full of lions at 1:25 PM on March 18, 2016 [38 favorites]
I'm holding out for orbital delivery.
posted by mrjohnmuller at 1:33 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by mrjohnmuller at 1:33 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I mean, besides being armed with Domino's Pizza?
posted by mazola at 1:33 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by mazola at 1:33 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm hoping for a pizza ballista and p'zone cannon on the next model. Weaponized 'pizza' will surely tilt the field in the Kiwi-Aussie wars.
posted by Existential Dread at 1:34 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Existential Dread at 1:34 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
robotic, autonomous pizza delivery.
When it gets down to it—talking trade balances here—once we've brain-drained all our technology into other countries, once things have evened out, they're making cars in Bolivia and microwave ovens in Tadzhikistan and selling them here—once our edge in natural resources has been made irrelevant by giant Hong Kong ships and dirigibles that can ship North Dakota all the way to New Zealand for a nickel—once the Invisible Hand has taken all those historical inequities and smeared them out into a broad global layer of what a Pakistani brickmaker would consider to be prosperity—you know what? There's only four things we do better than anyone else:posted by zamboni at 1:36 PM on March 18, 2016 [17 favorites]
music
movies
microcode (software),
high-speed pizza delivery
This is how the 'computers are just laughing at us' thing starts.
posted by colie at 1:37 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by colie at 1:37 PM on March 18, 2016
But...but...what will Hiro Protagonist do now?
posted by nubs at 1:48 PM on March 18, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by nubs at 1:48 PM on March 18, 2016 [11 favorites]
Not sure what sounds worse with Wellington, being eaten by vampires or getting stuck in traffic behind a crappy robot travelling 8 km/h and randomly cutting across lanes.
posted by effbot at 1:49 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by effbot at 1:49 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Countdown to pizza piracy - 10-9-8...
Mass unemployment in 10...9...8...
posted by likethemagician at 1:59 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Mass unemployment in 10...9...8...
posted by likethemagician at 1:59 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
the pizza in New Zealand is about the most awful pizza in any Anglicized country
Having come from NZ, and living the better part of a decade in the US (SF/Bay Area) my experience has been quite different (*ducks for cover from the US Pizza cabal*). Give me Hell Pizza as my standard delivery any day, or One Red Dog for something special.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 1:59 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Having come from NZ, and living the better part of a decade in the US (SF/Bay Area) my experience has been quite different (*ducks for cover from the US Pizza cabal*). Give me Hell Pizza as my standard delivery any day, or One Red Dog for something special.
posted by inflatablekiwi at 1:59 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
This sounds like the issue that really could pull together Metafilter.
Whether you love New York pizza, prefer New Haven pizza, are a west coast lover of California pizza, enjoy the heartiness of Chicago pizza, we call all agree... that Dominoes isn't pizza.
posted by el io at 2:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [15 favorites]
Whether you love New York pizza, prefer New Haven pizza, are a west coast lover of California pizza, enjoy the heartiness of Chicago pizza, we call all agree... that Dominoes isn't pizza.
posted by el io at 2:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [15 favorites]
This raises the question of who Dominos will partner with for the pizza part of the delivery.
posted by srboisvert at 2:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [11 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 2:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [11 favorites]
Countdown to pizza piracy
Stealing a Domino's pizza from somebody isn't piracy, it's an act of mercy.
posted by Behemoth at 2:02 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
Stealing a Domino's pizza from somebody isn't piracy, it's an act of mercy.
posted by Behemoth at 2:02 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
Whether you love New York pizza, prefer New Haven pizza, are a west coast lover of California pizza, enjoy the heartiness of Chicago pizza, we call all agree... that Dominoes isn't pizza
This raises the question of who Dominos will partner with for the pizza part of the delivery.
Stealing a Domino's pizza from somebody isn't piracy, it's an act of mercy.
I think Domino's is perfectly fine; I have enjoyed their product in the past and doubtless will again! Perhaps we could talk about the neat but possibly worrying development from the FPP instead of snarking on food enjoyed by a great many people? Thank you!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 2:03 PM on March 18, 2016 [6 favorites]
This raises the question of who Dominos will partner with for the pizza part of the delivery.
Stealing a Domino's pizza from somebody isn't piracy, it's an act of mercy.
I think Domino's is perfectly fine; I have enjoyed their product in the past and doubtless will again! Perhaps we could talk about the neat but possibly worrying development from the FPP instead of snarking on food enjoyed by a great many people? Thank you!
posted by Mrs. Pterodactyl at 2:03 PM on March 18, 2016 [6 favorites]
Once all the low-end jobs are taken by the robots, nobody will be able to afford pizzas any more.
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:03 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
posted by Celsius1414 at 2:03 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
This hits a sweet spot of zero effort, zero human interaction and zero leaving the house that I really would have appreciated in the heights of writing my dissertation.
Come on, Domino's, bring this to the US and facilitate my descent into isolated madness.
posted by pemberkins at 2:11 PM on March 18, 2016
Come on, Domino's, bring this to the US and facilitate my descent into isolated madness.
posted by pemberkins at 2:11 PM on March 18, 2016
I've seen enough pop culture to know that "cheeky and endearing" robots are the ones we need to worry about.
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:14 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:14 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
The ones with Genuine People Personalities. Share And Enjoy!
posted by hippybear at 2:18 PM on March 18, 2016 [3 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 2:18 PM on March 18, 2016 [3 favorites]
I've seen enough pop culture to know that "cheeky and endearing" robots are the ones we need to worry about.
Indeed. We need more depressed and morose robots.
(hippybear beat me to it, pretty much.)
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:18 PM on March 18, 2016
Indeed. We need more depressed and morose robots.
(hippybear beat me to it, pretty much.)
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:18 PM on March 18, 2016
Nothing about Dominos is cheeky or endearing.
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:41 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:41 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
i'm expecting this technology to someday get upgraded to a combat unit a la the pizza boy car in twisted metal 4 that launched spinning saw blades as an attack
sadly i've now gone down in a nostalgic childhood wormhole of watching twisted metal 4 playthrough videos on youtube. thanks a lot, pizza robot
posted by burgerrr at 2:48 PM on March 18, 2016
sadly i've now gone down in a nostalgic childhood wormhole of watching twisted metal 4 playthrough videos on youtube. thanks a lot, pizza robot
posted by burgerrr at 2:48 PM on March 18, 2016
EAT THE PIZZA YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO COMPLY
posted by Hairy Lobster at 3:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [9 favorites]
posted by Hairy Lobster at 3:00 PM on March 18, 2016 [9 favorites]
Foci for Analysis: HEAVENLY CHARIOT OF AMBROSIA METAL DELIVER MEAT 'N' DOUGH 'N' CHEESE 'N' SAUCE
posted by filthy light thief at 3:00 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by filthy light thief at 3:00 PM on March 18, 2016
Does the glow underneath the robot indicate its mood?
Also, needs a gattling gun like attachment for delivery of arbitrarily sized bread stick orders.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 3:02 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Also, needs a gattling gun like attachment for delivery of arbitrarily sized bread stick orders.
posted by Hairy Lobster at 3:02 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Wasn't this the setup for an episode of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
posted by threecheesetrees at 3:06 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by threecheesetrees at 3:06 PM on March 18, 2016
Call me when they get one of these mounted on a drone; I want good pizza that came out of the oven 30 seconds ago.
posted by el io at 3:11 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by el io at 3:11 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm holding out for orbital delivery.
Pies from God?
posted by MikeKD at 3:52 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Pies from God?
posted by MikeKD at 3:52 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Unstated is if the DRU get interesting names like Refreshingly Unconcerned With the Vulgar Exigencies of Veracity or The Precise Nature Of The Catastrophe.
posted by ob1quixote at 3:58 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
posted by ob1quixote at 3:58 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]
I wish it had a little canon to fire the pizza and other items into the customers' homes
posted by Sangermaine at 4:22 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by Sangermaine at 4:22 PM on March 18, 2016
On a more serious note, I do wonder what's going to happen when these kind of low-wage jobs are phased out, which it seems like they inevitably will be. It's not unlikely that relatively soon robots and computers will be making the food, taking the orders, and delivering them.
People like to point to the Luddite Fallacy, and maybe over time society will adjust to the new situation and employment will rise again, but what will happen to all the people put of out of work in the near term? They can't all just magically become programmers or designers or whatever the post-service economy jobs of the future will be overnight. For a while you're probably going to have increasingly large numbers of people out of work.
A good portion of American society sneers at the idea of these people making $15/hr for their labor. I seriously doubt there's going to be much support among libertarian/fiscal conservative types for "giving the leeches handouts". People talk about basic income or negative income tax or other schemes to provide everyone income but I really can't see that happening on a large scale in a country where half the people are in a frothing rage over the faint attempt we made at universal health care.
posted by Sangermaine at 4:27 PM on March 18, 2016 [10 favorites]
People like to point to the Luddite Fallacy, and maybe over time society will adjust to the new situation and employment will rise again, but what will happen to all the people put of out of work in the near term? They can't all just magically become programmers or designers or whatever the post-service economy jobs of the future will be overnight. For a while you're probably going to have increasingly large numbers of people out of work.
A good portion of American society sneers at the idea of these people making $15/hr for their labor. I seriously doubt there's going to be much support among libertarian/fiscal conservative types for "giving the leeches handouts". People talk about basic income or negative income tax or other schemes to provide everyone income but I really can't see that happening on a large scale in a country where half the people are in a frothing rage over the faint attempt we made at universal health care.
posted by Sangermaine at 4:27 PM on March 18, 2016 [10 favorites]
People talk about basic income or negative income tax or other schemes to provide everyone income
I read something don't know where arguing one of the biggest growing problems with modern society is still having the vast majority of people depending on employment for income (not in a EVERYONE SHOULD INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET FOR A LIVING kind of way).
Eventually, this will have to be addressed, as more low-end jobs are lost to automation and centralization (both of manufacture and distribution), and there's a finite number of openings for clerks in stores (I'm screwed, as the number of people who still buy games, music or movies physically as opposed to internet shopping or digital measures is diminishing quickly) and delivery persons, as long as both exist. Same to the job bubbles like tourism industry around here.
Will have to, but I'm not expecting. Unless things like DRROBOT2.3 and LAWYERBOT3000 start tickling the ruling classes' occupations.
posted by lmfsilva at 5:30 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I read something don't know where arguing one of the biggest growing problems with modern society is still having the vast majority of people depending on employment for income (not in a EVERYONE SHOULD INVEST IN THE STOCK MARKET FOR A LIVING kind of way).
Eventually, this will have to be addressed, as more low-end jobs are lost to automation and centralization (both of manufacture and distribution), and there's a finite number of openings for clerks in stores (I'm screwed, as the number of people who still buy games, music or movies physically as opposed to internet shopping or digital measures is diminishing quickly) and delivery persons, as long as both exist. Same to the job bubbles like tourism industry around here.
Will have to, but I'm not expecting. Unless things like DRROBOT2.3 and LAWYERBOT3000 start tickling the ruling classes' occupations.
posted by lmfsilva at 5:30 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
New retirement plan;
1. move to New Zealand
2. sue Domino’s
On a more serious note, I do wonder what's going to happen when these kind of low-wage jobs are phased out, which it seems like they inevitably will be.
It’s just part of the short term gratification plan we’ve decided to go with. Some of us grew up in a world where there was at least lip service payed to making the future a better place, it’s amazing how that’s just gone out the window in a few decades.
We picked Blade Runner over Star Trek. I loved Snow Crash and Jennifer Government, I just didn’t want to live them.
posted by bongo_x at 5:30 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
1. move to New Zealand
2. sue Domino’s
On a more serious note, I do wonder what's going to happen when these kind of low-wage jobs are phased out, which it seems like they inevitably will be.
It’s just part of the short term gratification plan we’ve decided to go with. Some of us grew up in a world where there was at least lip service payed to making the future a better place, it’s amazing how that’s just gone out the window in a few decades.
We picked Blade Runner over Star Trek. I loved Snow Crash and Jennifer Government, I just didn’t want to live them.
posted by bongo_x at 5:30 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm at the Domino's
I'm at the shooting range
I'm at the combination Domino's and shooting range
COMING TO A FLORIDA NEAR YOU
posted by indubitable at 5:43 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
I'm at the shooting range
I'm at the combination Domino's and shooting range
COMING TO A FLORIDA NEAR YOU
posted by indubitable at 5:43 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
you guys, did you know that self-guided mortar rounds are a thing? can you imagine the burrito delivery possibilities?
posted by indubitable at 5:49 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by indubitable at 5:49 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
On a more serious note, I do wonder what's going to happen when these kind of low-wage jobs are phased out,
Well also moderately paid jobs are going to be lower paying into people just double checking the results of more automated systems. So in the long term, some radical new interpretation of labor and economics.
In the short term? We're going to let millions of die or consign them to heavily policed misery.
posted by The Whelk at 5:50 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Well also moderately paid jobs are going to be lower paying into people just double checking the results of more automated systems. So in the long term, some radical new interpretation of labor and economics.
In the short term? We're going to let millions of die or consign them to heavily policed misery.
posted by The Whelk at 5:50 PM on March 18, 2016 [2 favorites]
Yeabut my artisinal delivery service is going to provide jobs to the dozens of people who are willing to master the rare and difficult traditions of fast food delivery, the way our ancestors enjoyed it.
posted by ardgedee at 6:10 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by ardgedee at 6:10 PM on March 18, 2016
you guys, did you know that self-guided mortar rounds are a thing? can you imagine the burrito delivery possibilities?
Good point. I'm pretty far from Weehawken.
posted by zamboni at 6:39 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Good point. I'm pretty far from Weehawken.
posted by zamboni at 6:39 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
This is still yet marketing, of course. The robots aren't taking our low wage jobs yet. The poor people overseas who speak different languages are. Robots are still too expensive, and will be for... guesses... several centuries. And that's good news! It means if we can crack the language barrier, we can rebuild the International.
Ha-ha. Yeah. Carry on!
posted by notyou at 10:08 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Ha-ha. Yeah. Carry on!
posted by notyou at 10:08 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
Robots are still too expensive, and will be for... guesses... several centuries.
What? Have you seen 'how it's made'? Every robot you see in that show used to be a human being doing that job. "Fast-food CEO says he's investing in machines because the government is making it difficult to afford employees"
It might take a couple of decades, but robots will continue to replace people at an expanded rate.
posted by el io at 10:49 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
What? Have you seen 'how it's made'? Every robot you see in that show used to be a human being doing that job. "Fast-food CEO says he's investing in machines because the government is making it difficult to afford employees"
It might take a couple of decades, but robots will continue to replace people at an expanded rate.
posted by el io at 10:49 PM on March 18, 2016 [1 favorite]
A couple of decades? Nuts. Capital is always adding more capital to production, of course, because it's cheaper and because it has other financial advantages (you actually OWN IT rather than renting its time), but surely even the most forward looking must recognize that there is still PLENTY of cheap human labor to be exploited Internationally, provided it can be brought into the system (legal, logistical, etc). We won't be so lucky to have to rebel against the robots taking our jerbs until well after that process is played. Centuries.
posted by notyou at 11:11 PM on March 18, 2016
posted by notyou at 11:11 PM on March 18, 2016
I'm hoping for a pizza ballista and p'zone cannon on the next model. Weaponized 'pizza' will surely tilt the field in the Kiwi-Aussie wars.
p'zooka
posted by mikemacman at 2:48 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
p'zooka
posted by mikemacman at 2:48 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
> Robots are still too expensive, and will be for... guesses... several centuries.
Humans are already more expensive than robots once you factor in the costs of upbringing, education, healthcare, and housing for their first 18 years of development. And they continue to be more expensive once their on the job, due to ongoing costs and matters of reliability and consistency.
posted by ardgedee at 5:01 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Humans are already more expensive than robots once you factor in the costs of upbringing, education, healthcare, and housing for their first 18 years of development. And they continue to be more expensive once their on the job, due to ongoing costs and matters of reliability and consistency.
posted by ardgedee at 5:01 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
Humans are already more expensive than robots once you factor in the costs of upbringing, education, healthcare, and housing for their first 18 years of development.
But no employer pays for that stuff! That's why capitalism is a more efficient form of exploitation than serfdom.
posted by colie at 5:35 AM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]
But no employer pays for that stuff! That's why capitalism is a more efficient form of exploitation than serfdom.
posted by colie at 5:35 AM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]
Hackathon reward: Free Pizza delivery for life.
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:02 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
posted by Nanukthedog at 6:02 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
what will happen to all the people put of out of work in the near term?
They'll be learning about robotics in a back alley while enjoying free pizza.
posted by sneebler at 6:17 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
They'll be learning about robotics in a back alley while enjoying free pizza.
posted by sneebler at 6:17 AM on March 19, 2016 [1 favorite]
> what will happen to all the people put of out of work in the near term?
The 3% that can maintain a 5 star rating on Ambient Butler will flit from one Gentre™ to another, back rubbing, kowtowing and hot towelling their way across the undercloud, while strategic AR street art hides the slowly desiccating piles of The Unmotivated.
posted by lucidium at 6:19 AM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]
The 3% that can maintain a 5 star rating on Ambient Butler will flit from one Gentre™ to another, back rubbing, kowtowing and hot towelling their way across the undercloud, while strategic AR street art hides the slowly desiccating piles of The Unmotivated.
posted by lucidium at 6:19 AM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]
I had no idea that we exported horrible Dominos pizza to other countries. I only had a vague idea that they still existed as a company but Google Maps tells me that there's one less than a mile from me. I guess I don't pay attention much.
posted by octothorpe at 6:29 AM on March 19, 2016
posted by octothorpe at 6:29 AM on March 19, 2016
I think Domino's is perfectly fine
I am so sorry you were born without taste buds. There are support groups if you want help.
posted by bh at 6:53 AM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]
I am so sorry you were born without taste buds. There are support groups if you want help.
posted by bh at 6:53 AM on March 19, 2016 [2 favorites]
New retirement plan;
1. move to New Zealand
2. sue Domino’s
Sue them for what? NZ doesn't have the same litigious culture as the US. For example, if you get hurt by one of the robots you'll just get ACC-covered health care and be on your way.
In theory, if the robots take all the jobs in NZ everyone just ends up living off the unemployment benefit forever. It's not a great life but totally possible to survive. In practice the government would probably run out of money first, but don't forget that this news story isn't set in the USA.
posted by shelleycat at 8:35 AM on March 19, 2016
1. move to New Zealand
2. sue Domino’s
Sue them for what? NZ doesn't have the same litigious culture as the US. For example, if you get hurt by one of the robots you'll just get ACC-covered health care and be on your way.
In theory, if the robots take all the jobs in NZ everyone just ends up living off the unemployment benefit forever. It's not a great life but totally possible to survive. In practice the government would probably run out of money first, but don't forget that this news story isn't set in the USA.
posted by shelleycat at 8:35 AM on March 19, 2016
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posted by briank at 1:10 PM on March 18, 2016 [7 favorites]