The City of Fremont kicked off its 4th Annual Restaurant Week with the inaugural delivery from DoorDash’s autonomous delivery device, Dot, at Fremont Bank. Dot, which is also manufactured in Fremont at Sonic Manufacturing Technologies, delivered its first order to Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan, marking the start of Restaurant Week.
In partnership with DoorDash, Fremont Bank, Yelp, and the Fremont Chamber of Commerce, Fremont Restaurant Week features a record-setting 70 participating restaurants and runs from March 6 to March 15. This unprecedented celebration underscores the City’s strong commitment to supporting local businesses and reinforces Fremont’s continued growth as a diverse hub for cuisine, culture, innovation and community.
The kick-off event featured remarks from Harrison Shih, Senior Director and Head of Product for DoorDash Labs, Fremont Mayor Salwan, and Don Marek, President of Fremont Bank.
“Fremont is a city that builds things: Advanced technology, world-class manufacturing, and now, the next generation of autonomous delivery with Dot,” said DoorDash Labs’ Harrison Shih. “And we believe in the power of automation to expand opportunity and connect the city. For Fremont restaurants, they will be able to reach more customers, more efficiently. For consumers, it means another convenient, sustainable way to support local favorites. For the city of Fremont, it means fewer short car trips and stronger local commerce. We’re proud to be building the future here and proud to celebrate the entrepreneurs who make this city thrive.”
“This partnership supports Fremont businesses end-to-end, from Sonic Manufacturing in Fremont where DoorDash’s delivery robot Dot was made, to our local restaurants that will benefit from this additional delivery method,” said Fremont Mayor Raj Salwan. “As the first to receive a delivery from Dot, I found this process smooth and efficient, and look forward to seeing Dot on our streets, safely delivering orders to Fremont residents soon.”
Dot Comes to Fremont
Following months of conversations, DoorDash and the City of Fremont agreed earlier this month on a proposal to introduce Dot, the company’s autonomous delivery device, to the
Fremont community. Through a measured set of steps that ensure public safety and community engagement, this partnership highlights Fremont’s leadership in advanced robotics and continued support for commercial vibrancy, especially in its growing Downtown. Dot is an all-electric, compact robot designed to reliably bring orders straight to your door while safely navigating city streets.
DoorDash’s deployment in Fremont is subject to an encroachment permit, ensuring compliance with municipal code and public safety standards. Based on DoorDash’s experience with autonomous delivery in other cities, they have a standardized Operating Plan and Incidence Response Procedure, and will have speed limitations. The current encroachment permit would extend for approximately one year, through March 2027.
DoorDash Labs
Dot represents the next phase in DoorDash’s mission to grow and empower local economies. Combining purpose-built autonomous robots with its existing delivery network will create a more efficient, sustainable, and accessible delivery ecosystem. Watch Dot in action HERE.
