DRU is still in the prototype stage, but that doesn't mean that it hasn't been busy. Domino's worked with the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads to ensure it met all the requirements to be set loose on the streets. It uses LIDAR, the same technology utilized by self-driving cars, to identify the surrounding environment and has built-in GPS tracking technology that syncs with Google Maps. It's actually very similar to Starship Technologies' eponymous delivery robots, which will soon hit the streets of London. 
 
 Lifehacker Australia reports that the robot's first deliveres were made in a number of restricted streets permitted by the local transport authorities. It's locked to prevent people from snagging some fresh pizza, so when it arrives at its destination, customers need to enter a mobile code that opens DRU's insulated storage (which has both hot and cool compartments). 
 
 Although DRU will initially be tested in Australia, Domino's says it's working with "global partners" to ensure the delivery droid meets the necessary requirements to be tested on roads and footpaths. Vehicles will start appearing in stores within the next six months, but it could take up to two years for pizza delivery shuttles to become a regular sight on the streets of Queensland. 

 The future is pizza. Last night, Domino's Australia unveiled DRU — the world's first commercial autonomous delivery vehicle. This isn't a fictional marketing campaign; it's a bona fide robot that can do everything from navigate fences to talk to customers. We were given a sneak peak of the first prototype in Brisbane, which will be the testing ground for this cutting-edge delivery system. Here's everything you need to know! 
 
 This is an April Fools gag, right? 
 
 Wrong. Domino’s has been secretly working on this project for the past eight months at its local innovation lab. Dubbed DRU (Domino's Robotic Unit), it is an autonomous delivery vehicle built in collaboration with Marathon Robotics; an Australian technology startup that specialises in robotic targets for live-fire army training. It's essentially a $30k military-grade robot refitted for pizza delivery. 
 
 How does it work? 
 
 The DRU unit is fully autonomous and can currently reach speeds of up to 20 kilometres an hour. This makes it suitable for footpaths, trails, bike paths and bridges — but not roads or highways. It will therefore initially be limited to neighborhood deliveries. 
 
 DRU uses a LIDAR sensory system that allows the unit to detect obstacles in its path and change its route accordingly. It measures objects and distance by illuminating them with a laser light. Each unit also comes equipped with traditional sensors that detect obstructions at close range, just like a robot vacuum cleaner. 
 
 It weighs approximately 190kg and has a maximum height of 1185mm (922mm with the compartment closed.) The body is constructed of ABS and urethane plastics, the lenses are made using PMMA (acrylic) plastics and the internal chassis is finished using aluminium and mild steel. It is water tight and weather proof. 
 
 When a customer orders a pizza, the DRU unit will travel unassisted to their address using the aforementioned sensors and GPS tracking technology powered by Google Maps. While the unit is capable of navigating fence lines and driveways, customers will be required to complete their orders on the kerb. 
 
 Entering a unique mobile phone code will activate the robot's locked storage compartments which contain the customer's goodies (the robot cheerfully chats you through the process throughout). There are separate heated and chilled compartments for hot foods, drinks and desserts. To ensure the system meets food service hygiene requirements, both compartments will be removable for cleaning and disinfecting purposes. 
 
 The current prototype has a battery capacity of 20km which is well within Domino's average delivery radius of 3-5km. However, it's only capable of delivering an "average size" pizza order — in other words, your future parties will continue receiving boring human deliveries. Boo! 
 
 Is it safe? 
 
 According to Domino's CEO Don Meij, DRU is safer than human drivers. "One of our inspirations for DRU is safety — it seems pretty crazy to us that we use one-and-a-half tonne vehicles to deliver a few hundred grams of pizza," Meij explained. When you remove all that fast moving steel and potential for human error, the number of delivery-based injuries should actually go down. 
 
 Domino’s has been conducting field tests with DRU in a number of restricted streets approved under special permit by the Queensland Department of Transport. These "semi-autonomous" delivery trials complied with current road regulations and proved to be successful. 
 
 When will it be on the roads? 
 
 According to Domino's, DRU will be making appearances in stores within the next six months. However, it will take approximately two years before units are ready for our roads. "It's a genuinely autonomous robot today, but some of the technology on the AI side still has to lift," Meij explained. 
 
 "He's able to stop and sense and won't hit things, but [it] needs to be more foolproof. For example, he's not currently aware of how big he is on top which can be a problem when he spins." 
 
 In addition, there are various legislative restrictions that need to be overcome. Simply put, Australian road rules are exceptionally tough to navigate: it's exceedingly difficult to get a bike helmet approved over here, much less a self-driving robot. 
 
 Nevertheless, Meij is confident that state governments will be on board within the next couple of years. The company is currently working with the Queensland Department of Transport of Main Roads (TMR) to identify how to safely allow DRU to utilise roads and footpaths. 
 
 Won't drunk people just steal all the pizzas? 
 
 In addition to the aforementioned compartment locks, each DRU unit will be festooned with IP cameras which means any thefts or acts of vandalism will be sent straight to the cloud. "We think there's no doubt things like that will happen," Meij admitted. "We have to go through that journey." 
 
 What about our jerbs?!!? 
 
 According to Meij, the DRU unit won't replace traditional (read: human) pizza deliverers. There are simply some places the technology won't be able to reach; most notably highways and distant locations. 
 
 "I think drivers are going to be around for a long time," Meij said. "Currently we have three types of deliveries: electric bike, motobike and car." DRU will simply be another member of the delivery team. 
 
 Meanwhile, Domino's commitment to homegrown technology will actually boost job creation in the fields of engineering and robotics. 
 
 "Whoever does this first will have a significant advantage," Meij explained. "If we're not careful, Australia will become a host nation of technology rather than owning technology. My fear is that we just licence everything from Silicon Valley and London and so on, when we could be part-owning it." 
 
 Anything else I should know? 
 
 The robot might be gay. The male-voiced prototype joked about having dated Dexter from Perfect Match in the '80s. This is just fantastic. 
 
 We caught some video of DRU in action during the unveiling event. Unfortunately, we weren't filming when it rolled into position but we did get a good shot of the compartment opening to serve us a pizza. Check it out below! 

 Domino's is bringing robotic pizza delivery to New Zealand. The pizza chain today announced that it will trial a battery-powered delivery robot in the capital city of Wellington, describing the bot as "the world's first autonomous pizza delivery vehicle." 
 
 Known as DRU (Domino's Robotic Unit), the four-wheel robot was developed in Australia and is capable of completing deliveries within a 20-mile radius on a single charge. DRU stands at just under three-feet tall, and uses an array of sensors to avoid obstacles. Up to 10 pizzas can be stored in the bot's heated compartment, which can be unlocked with a code that customers are given when they order. 
 
 Domino's World First Autonomous Pizza Delivery Vehicle Meet DRU - The newest team member to join the Domino's family! He's the world's first autonomous pizza delivery vehicle!DRU has a passion for delivering piping hot meals and a nice warm smile to customers. While he won't be taking to the streets tomorrow, he is enjoying his early progress as a prototype and giving customers a glimpse into the future of what is possible.We're excited to welcome DRU into the team and we're sure you'll love getting to know him and his cheeky personality!#DRU #DominosNZ #MoreThanJustPizza #TheFuture #GameChanger Posted by Domino's New Zealand on Thursday, March 17, 2016 
 
 DRU is the latest in a series of tech-centric campaigns from Domino's. In 2014, the company created a Siri-like virtual assistant that customers can use to order pizza, and last year it began accepting text message orders with pizza emoji. Other companies have looked to develop robots for delivery as well, including Starship Technologies, which announced its own (very similar) autonomous bot at Mobile World Congress this year. 
 
 A start date for the Domino's trial has not been announced, but New Zealand's government is already very excited about it. "This is an exciting opportunity for New Zealand... over the last 12 months I’ve been actively and aggressively promoting New Zealand as a test bed for new transport technology trials," Transport Minister Simon Bridges tells the AFP. 

 Published on Mar 17, 2016 
 
 Meet DRU - The newest team member to join the Domino's family! He's the world's first autonomous delivery vehicle! 
 
 
 
 DRU has a passion for delivering piping hot meals and a nice warm smile to customers. While he won't be taking to the streets tomorrow, he is enjoying his early progress as a prototype and giving customers a glimpse into the future of what is possible. 

 Domino's New Zealand has introduced the world's first pizza delivery droid. The three-foot-tall pepperoni purveyor delivers "piping hot meals" and has a "cheeky personality," said the company. And his appearance is creating something of a stir down under. 
 
 Developed in Australia, the "autonomous delivery vehicle" is half Wall-E, half baby carriage, with a sprinkling of R2-D2. Known as DRU (Domino's Robotic Unit), the robot can hold up to 10 pizzas in a heated compartment that each customer unlocks with a unique code. 
 
 
 
 DRU can travel on roads and sidewalks, and is armed with a special sensor to detect obstacles such as cars, lampposts, and curious bystanders. 
 
 
 
 Read more from NBC News: 
 
 Pizza Ranch linked to multistate E. coli outbreak 
 
 Italy seeks UNESCO recognition for Neapolitan pizza making 
 
 This Pizza Hut pie has stuffed garlic knots ... and 24k gold 
 

– Self-driving cars seem nice, but an Australian tech startup that usually builds robotic targets for live-fire military training has just announced what we've really been waiting for: a pizza-delivery robot, courtesy of Domino's, reports Engadget. Meet DRU (Domino's Robotic Unit), an autonomous 3-foot-tall delivery vehicle (currently in prototype stage) that's most aptly described by NBC News as "half Wall-E, half baby carriage, with a sprinkling of R2-D2." Developed by Marathon Targets, DRU is powered by LIDAR—the same technology self-driving cars employ—and scoots around with the assistance of its built-in GPS system, which is hooked up with Google Maps. The four-wheel device can carry out a bunch of deliveries within a 20-mile radius on a single charge, zips along at a maximum 12.5mph, and can hold up to 10 pizzas in its heated compartment, the Verge and Lifehacker Australia report. How it works: Once an order is placed, DRU maps out the customer's address and putters on over, using its sensors to avoid obstacles. When DRU arrives curbside, the customer will be able to open the locked compartments with a special code sent via smartphone. To further deter pizza poachers, the units come equipped with cameras to record any attempts at theft. Because of its speed limitations and local transport rules, DRU can currently only travel on smaller lanes and paths (no major thoroughfares or highways), so it will first be tested in small neighborhoods in Australia and New Zealand; customers should expect to see the robots take to the streets within the next six months. Due to logistical, technical, and legal hurdles, it may be at least two years before they become an everyday sight. (Another modern wonder: Domino's cars with pizza ovens.)