DoorDash introduces AI agent for ordering via text on iPhone

DoorDash opens a waitlist for American users for an AI agent that takes orders via text in Apple Messages. The company details features ranging from the "usual" to local recommendations with photos and group management. It is also planning drone delivery trials with restaurants in Northern California.

Waitlist Access in the U.S. and Planned Drone Trials

DoorDash is now offering a waitlist to allow users in the United States to try text-based ordering. The company also states that it will begin testing drone delivery with select restaurants in Northern California. The launch of the AI ordering agent via Apple Messages was announced on Wednesday.

Text Ordering, Local Recommendations, and Group Management

DoorDash specifies that the agent accepts instructions like "order my usual" and understands that this refers to the user's typical Friday night order. It can also respond to requests for specific dishes, suggest local recommendations, search for nearby establishments, and create a cart based on the request. The agent can send photos of suggested dishes and take into account various dietary preferences as well as different quantities for group orders.

Aiming to Get Ahead of Uber Eats and Grubhub and Positioning in the AI Agent Wave

With this launch, DoorDash aims to position itself ahead of its rivals Uber Eats and Grubhub. This initiative is part of an increasingly marked trend of using personal AI agents capable of performing tasks without requiring users to navigate through apps or websites.