DoorDash has officially selected Fremont as its launch site in California for the deployment of its autonomous delivery robot, Dot—one of the new generation of delivery robots. The project could become one of the first large-scale experiments in automating “last-mile” delivery in the Bay Area.
Local Development and Technical Specifications
Manufacturing in Fremont: The Dot robot was entirely designed by DoorDash Labs and is assembled at Sonic Manufacturing’s facility in Fremont. Mayor Raj Salwan emphasized that this reinforces the city’s status as a technology hub.
Payload: According to DoorDash, the robot’s internal compartment can hold up to 30 pounds of cargo. Its dimensions allow it to deliver up to six standard pizza boxes at once.
Speed: Dot can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour on roadways and up to 16 miles per hour on bike paths. When traveling on sidewalks, its speed is software-limited to a safe 5 miles per hour.
Navigation system: The delivery robot is equipped with lidars, radars, and 360-degree cameras, allowing it to detect obstacles, pedestrians, and pets in real time.
Deployment Phases
The launch is timed to coincide with Fremont Restaurant Week, which takes place in mid-March 2026. The program is divided into two phases:
Test Phase: During the first phase, three robots will operate on the streets under the supervision of operators.
Scaling: In the near future, the number of autonomous units will increase to 30. They will serve the Downtown, Centerville, and Irvington areas, traveling primarily along Fremont Boulevard, Mowry Avenue, and Paseo Padre Parkway.
What This Means for the Bay Area
The success of the pilot project in Fremont could radically change logistics in Northern California and throughout the Bay Area. Using its own delivery robots allows DoorDash to reduce logistics costs by eliminating the need to use cars for small orders. If the test results are positive, the company plans to expand Dot’s service area to San Jose and Oakland by the end of 2026.