Norway Introduces Self-Driving Grocery Cars for Cheap Delivery

Norway's biggest online grocery store has introduced the world's first self-driving grocery cars for efficiency and cheaper delivery of products.

Norway's Kolonial.no with IT consulting company Acando has decided to test the new technological possibilities of grocery delivery and has launched its first self-driving grocery store. Kolonial.no co-founder Karl Munthe-Kaas told audiences at a press conference that they want to use automatic and self-driving functions of cars to deliver groceries in a simpler and cheaper way.

According to Xinhua, customers will be able to get their food delivered at their doorstep or pick it up on one of their 30 pick-up points. They will be able to track the vehicles via an online application where the vehicle is at the moment and even decide when and where they would like to pick up their products.

Munthe-Kaas explained they just need to find the kind of regulations they have to meet in order for their project to be approved. However, they are confident that the digitally advanced country of Norway will pave way to the first autonomous grocery delivery service in the world.

Transport minister Ketil Slvik-Olsen said there will be a bill to approve such projects next spring, with a decision to be expected in summer next year. Solvik-Olsen expressed the need for Norway to open up to such technologies given that other countries are doing so in the countries.

Acando Norway told Xinhua that the average price per vehicle would probably be 240,000 dollars. This is because projects like these may have other functions such as glass and metal collection, and not just grocery products.

Others talk about how the service can revolutionize families. Not only will it make groceries easier, but it can halve the expenses of the household that have to drive and go to the grocery all the time.