DoorDash is expanding into restaurant reservations and robot deliveries

Core Viewpoint - DoorDash is expanding its services to include restaurant reservations and robot deliveries, aiming to enhance customer experience and meet growing demand while maintaining its competitive edge in the delivery market [4][6][10]. Expansion Plans - DoorDash announced plans to add restaurant reservations through a new "Going Out" tab, initially launching in New York and Miami, with plans to expand to other cities later [8][9]. - The company reported a 20% increase in total orders, reaching 761 million in the second quarter of the year, indicating strong customer demand [4]. Delivery Innovations - DoorDash is introducing autonomous delivery robots named Dot, which can travel at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour and are designed for suburban deliveries [11][12]. - The company has invested seven years in developing Dot, which is capable of carrying up to 30 pounds of cargo [13][14]. Competitive Landscape - The expansion into restaurant reservations and robot deliveries poses a challenge to competitors like OpenTable and Instacart, as DoorDash aims to deepen its relationships with restaurants and attract new customers [6][10]. - Following the announcement of its partnership with Kroger for delivery from 2,700 stores, DoorDash's shares rose by 4%, while Instacart's shares fell by 10% [6]. Future Vision - DoorDash envisions a hybrid delivery model combining human and autonomous methods to enhance service efficiency and accessibility [18].