The key facts

  • Yandex Uzbekistan plans to launch robot delivery from Yandex Lavka in Tashkent by the end of the year
  • The robots carry groceries, ready meals and goods on routes of up to 2 km
  • After the pilot, the company intends to expand the service and offer the technology to third-party customers

Launch by the end of the year

Yandex Uzbekistan plans to launch delivery from the Yandex Lavka service in Tashkent by the end of the current year using autonomous robots. The company's press service told Spot about this. The devices are currently undergoing testing and preparation for operation in an urban environment: they will carry groceries, ready meals and everyday goods within the capital on routes of up to 2 km.

How the robots work

The robots move at pedestrian speed and navigate the streets autonomously — using lidar and ultrasonic sensors. A built-in computing system processes the surroundings, recognizes traffic light signals and predicts the movement of objects. The devices can choose a route, go around obstacles and cross the road at pedestrian crossings, while six drive wheels allow them to overcome curbs up to 10 cm high and areas with uneven surfaces. According to the company, the robots can also move in the rain; the developers expect them to 'independently handle most road situations'.

What changes for users

When placing an order, robot delivery will be offered based on whether it can be completed within the timeframe set by the service, and the user will see the expected arrival time in the app. In non-standard situations, a remote operator takes over control. The company recommends that pedestrians do not lift or move the devices, but contact support via the QR code on the body.

From testing to scaling

The decision became a logical continuation of tests that had been going on throughout the year: Yandex robots were first spotted on the streets of Tashkent in July, and at that time the company confirmed that it was testing a device for delivering orders from Yandex Lavka — a service launched in the capital in the autumn of 2024. Thus, the announced launch moves the technology from the testing stage to operation. After the pilot stage, Yandex Uzbekistan plans to gradually expand robot delivery: connect other services of its ecosystem to it and offer the technology to third-party customers.