Suburban Houston a Testing Ground for Autonomous Delivery Tech

The story of how the autonomous delivery company Nuro has taken to the streets of Houston to map the city and test its concept.

1 minute read

November 14, 2019, 7:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Self-Driving Cars

California-based Nuro is testing its autonomous delivery concept in Texas. | Sundry Photography / Shutterstock

Peter Holley reports on the operations of Nuro, a Silicon Valley-based company operating in Houston in a race to corner the market on autonomous delivery services.

The company aims to become "the world’s preeminent autonomous delivery service, allowing millions of people to have groceries and other goods delivered by robots instead of making trips to the store, potentially reducing traffic and kicking off a new chapter in our relationship with machines," according to Holley.

"For months now, Nuro’s robotically piloted vehicles have been successfully, if quietly, delivering groceries to restaurants and homes around Houston, the vehicles’ sensors mapping the city as they go."

The article presents the current stage of autonomous vehicle technology as a race—one that both could benefit and threaten the safety of the public.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 in The Washington Poast

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Wide roadway in Austin, Texas at night.

How Project Connect Would Change ‘The Drag’

A popular — and sometimes deadly — Austin road will exchange car lanes for light rail.

30 minutes ago - The Daily Texan

Google Street View of wide roadway flanked by green trees in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Milwaukee Road to Get Complete Streets Upgrades

The city will reduce vehicle lanes and build a protected multi-use trail including bioswales and other water retention features on its ‘secret highway.’

1 hour ago - Urban Milwaukee

Side view of layers of grass and soil

Tackling Soil Contamination With Nature-Based Solutions

Los Angeles County residents and experts are turning to nature-based methods like bioremediation to address long-standing and fire-exacerbated soil contamination without resorting to costly and disruptive removal.

2 hours ago - Los Angeles Times