Coco Robotics is a Los Angeles-based startup specialising in autonomous delivery robots designed for last-mile logistics in urban environments. The company operates a fleet of cooler-sized, zero-emission robots that deliver meals, groceries, and goods directly to consumers and businesses.
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Since its founding in 2020, Coco has completed over 500,000 deliveries across major U.S. cities—including Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami—and has recently expanded internationally to Helsinki, Finland.
The company’s robots are engineered to navigate sidewalks and urban obstacles, leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for route optimization and real-time decision-making. Coco’s delivery vehicles are capable of carrying up to 90 liters of goods, making them suitable for a range of delivery needs, from food to retail products. The startup partners with national retailers and platforms such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Subway, Wingstop, and Jack in the Box, providing a scalable, cost-effective alternative to traditional delivery methods.
Coco’s mission centers on creating a more sustainable, reliable, and affordable last-mile logistics solution. The company emphasizes its zero-emission fleet and aims to reduce traffic congestion and urban pollution while addressing the high costs and inefficiencies typically associated with last-mile delivery.
As CEO Zach Rash explains, “We’ve been very intentional about building technology and a business model based on unit economics that work today—not five years down the road. We’re now at the forefront of applying AI to solve real, everyday problems in urban logistics, and this funding helps us move faster—from advancing our AI platform to expanding our fleet globally”.
How are they unique and what about the competition?
Coco Robotics distinguishes itself through a combination of technology, business model, and market approach. Unlike some competitors who focus on fully autonomous, street-legal vehicles, Coco has prioritized sidewalk robots that are more conservative in design but potentially more scalable and capital-efficient. This approach allows the company to deploy its robots in dense urban environments where regulatory barriers for street vehicles are higher.
The company’s AI-first strategy is a defining feature. While many competitors invest heavily in robotics hardware, Coco’s core value proposition lies in its AI platform, which manages complex urban navigation, adapts to real-time changes in the environment, and optimizes delivery routes. This focus on AI-driven efficiency is further underscored by the company’s partnership with OpenAI, which enables Coco to leverage advanced AI models and contribute real-world data to OpenAI’s research.
Coco operates in a rapidly expanding and increasingly competitive market. Key rivals include Starship Technologies, Nuro, Relay Robotics, Ottonomy.IO, and Serve Robotics. Starship and Nuro, in particular, hold a significant share of the autonomous last-mile delivery market, each with over 20% of the sector. These companies have gained attention for high-profile partnerships and large-scale deployments, such as delivering 7-Eleven products and Shake Shack burgers.
Despite this competition, the market for autonomous delivery robots is expected to grow substantially, with projections estimating the global market could reach between $3.99 billion and $8.68 billion by 2029, driven by the rise of e-commerce and demand for contactless delivery. Coco’s focus on proven unit economics and established enterprise partnerships may give it an advantage over competitors still working to demonstrate commercial viability.
Ryan Graves, former SVP of Global Operations at Uber and now CEO of Saltwater, highlighted Coco’s differentiated approach: “What impressed me about Coco is their grounded, capital-efficient approach to real-world autonomy. They’re solving some of our most challenging problems for businesses, consumers, and cities today that will define our culture tomorrow”.
Valuation, funding, and founding team members
Coco Robotics recently secured $80 million in strategic financing, bringing its total capital raised to over $120 million. The latest round included returning investors Sam and Max Altman, Pelion, Outlander, and SNR, as well as new participants such as Offline, DeepWater, and Ryan Graves. Notably, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, has invested personally, and Coco has established a partnership with OpenAI, allowing it to use OpenAI’s models and contribute data for AI research.
The company’s valuation has not been publicly disclosed, but the scale of funding and the profile of investors signal strong confidence in Coco’s business model and growth prospects.
The larger picture: Coco Robotics and the future of urban logistics
The rise of Coco Robotics reflects broader trends in urban logistics, technology, and sustainability. The last-mile delivery segment is widely recognized as the most expensive and complex part of the supply chain, often plagued by inefficiencies, high labor costs, and environmental impact. Autonomous delivery robots offer a potential solution by automating this segment, reducing costs, and providing more reliable service.
Coco’s emphasis on zero-emission vehicles aligns with increasing regulatory and societal focus on sustainability. Many cities are enacting stricter emissions standards and seeking ways to reduce traffic congestion and pollution. By deploying electric, sidewalk-based robots, Coco addresses these concerns while offering a scalable logistics solution.
The company’s growth also mirrors the continued expansion of e-commerce and consumer expectations for faster, more convenient delivery. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of contactless delivery, and this trend has persisted, driving demand for innovative logistics solutions.
Coco’s international expansion, starting with Helsinki, suggests that the company sees significant opportunities beyond the U.S. market, particularly in regions with favorable regulatory environments for autonomous vehicles. However, the path to global scale is not without challenges. Regulatory barriers, technological hurdles, and competition from well-funded rivals will test Coco’s ability to maintain its momentum.
Market analysts predict that the autonomous delivery robots sector will experience explosive growth in the coming years, supported by advances in AI, robotics, and urban infrastructure. The market is large enough to accommodate multiple winners, especially as companies differentiate themselves by geography, technology, and business model.
What do we think about the startup
Coco Robotics is positioning itself as a major player in the evolving landscape of urban logistics. By focusing on AI-driven, zero-emission delivery robots, the company addresses key challenges in last-mile delivery—cost, efficiency, and sustainability. Its capital-efficient approach, strategic partnerships, and experienced leadership team have attracted significant investment and enabled rapid expansion across U.S. and European cities.
While the market for autonomous delivery robots is crowded and competitive, Coco’s emphasis on proven unit economics, real-world partnerships, and AI-centric technology may set it apart from rivals. The company’s ambitious goal of deploying 10,000 vehicles by 2026 would make it the world’s largest autonomous delivery fleet, but success will depend on its ability to execute at scale, adapt to regulatory environments, and continue innovating in a fast-moving industry.
As cities worldwide grapple with the challenges of urbanization, e-commerce growth, and environmental sustainability, companies like Coco Robotics are at the forefront of redefining how goods move through urban spaces. Whether Coco can maintain its lead and achieve its vision will be closely watched by investors, competitors, and city planners alike.
