DoorDash announced on Wednesday that it will launch a text-based AI tool that allows users to place orders through Apple Messages. Users will be able to place their usual orders with commands such as “order my usual,” request a specific dish, or receive local recommendations. Based on the command, the tool will search for nearby businesses, suggest a cart, and send photos of the recommended dishes via message. For group orders, it will be able to manage different dietary preferences and quantities in a single order. DoorDash aims to gain an advantage over Uber Eats and Grubhub with this feature. A trial waitlist will open for users in the US. The company also announced that it will begin testing delivery drones with select restaurants in Northern California. The launch comes at a time of growing interest in personal AI tools that carry out tasks without requiring people to navigate an app or website.
Why it matters
This development moves food ordering from searching and browsing in a separate app to the messaging flow users already use; as a result, it is relevant to users who want to quickly repeat their usual orders or bring groups with different preferences together in the same cart. AI filtering businesses and options according to user requests strengthens DoorDash’s efforts to compete with Uber Eats and Grubhub through the way users access the service. The drone test shows that the company is seeking to differentiate not only the ordering interface but also the delivery process; however, it is not yet clear whether this will extend beyond select restaurants. The scope of the waitlist for ordering through messaging and the trial’s impact on the user experience are also among the issues that need to be addressed.