H-E-B testing out driverless delivery

San Antonio-based H-E-B is following in the footsteps of retailers such as Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. by launching a new delivery pilot.

The company announced that it will test delivery service from a vehicle with self-driving technology later this year. The company plans to use one autonomous van with driverless technology, developed by California-based startup Udelv, which will serve customers near its Olmos Park store, north of downtown San Antonio.

The ADV has climate-controlled compartments that can hold multiple orders of fresh, frozen and dry goods, and can travel at city street and highway speeds.

During the first phase of the pilot, the ADV will have a driver. If the initiative is expanded, the retailer will implement a multi-phased rollout to give the technology time to learn the safest, most efficient routes, which will eventually lead to the ADV becoming fully driverless. Select customers can sign up to receive deliveries from the autonomous vehicle during the test period.

“At H-E-B, we continue to evaluate and utilize innovative technologies in all parts of our business,” said Paul Tepfenhart, senior vice president of omnichannel and emerging technologies at Central Market and H-E-B. “As a leading digital-retail leader in Texas, we will continue to grow our Partner population as well as technology presence to complement our store operations, enabling customers to choose how they shop, pay for and receive products.”

This trial is part of efforts to integrate more technology-based services into H-E-B’s digital lineup. Along with its Favor on-demand delivery service, H-E-B continues to expand e-commerce offerings such as H-E-B Curbside and H-E-B Home Delivery, which are expected to be at over 200 locations by year’s end, and H-E-B Go, a mobile solution that allows people to scan and pay for their items with their phones.