Aarian Marshall: Hello.
Michael Calore: Given today's subject, am I curious what the most unexpected is that you have both ordered through a delivery app?
Louise Matsakis: So I was recently on a press trip to China and I made notes during an interview and I got a pen over my white pants. So I ordered the Chinese equivalent of a tuck. I think that is probably the weirdest that I once received on request.
Aarian Marshall: I am so constitutional against paying for delivery, even before there were apps. I hated paying deliverers. A lot of respect what they do, but I'd rather spend my money in other ways. So I think I got really desperate recently and ordered Pad Thai, and that was wild for me. So that's where I am.
Michael Calore: Is that your most unexpected thing?
Aarian Marshall: Yes, the fact that I used it at all is unexpected.
Michael Calore: Yes, I mean, I live in one of the most populating parts of the west coast of California, and I rarely use delivery apps, but I would probably say the most unexpected thing I have ever ordered is a bottle of Jameson Irish Whiskey.
Aarian Marshall: Respect.
Michael Calore: This is Wired's Creepy valleyA show about the people, strength and influence of Silicon Valley. Today we are talking about how after years of struggle apps app companies still try to use their robots directly in front of the door. During an event earlier this week Doordash revealed his own new autonomous robot called Dot. The company says it is part of a goal to have a hybrid, “Work model for deliveries in the future, working with people, but also drones and autonomous vehicles in the mix.” But Doordash is not only in his efforts to have your dinner delivered by a robot. The industry of autonomous deliveries has evolved steadily and has had considerable challenges along the way. We will dive why some of these companies are still large betting on delivery robots, the race to create the right technology to use in it and what these robot fleets in our cities can mean for all of us. I am Michael Calore, director of consumer technology and culture.
