Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com has launched an AI-powered smart helmet for its food couriers, integrating a voice assistant and camera to enhance safety and efficiency. This initiative follows similar roll-outs by rivals Alibaba and Meituan, aiming to minimize distractions and improve navigation for riders.
Ecommerce major Flipkart is reportedly planning to launch its food delivery services in Bengaluru by mid-August, proposing a commission structure of up to 11%, which is significantly lower than the rates charged by existing players like Swiggy and Zomato.
U.S. lawmakers are investigating DoorDash's use of Chinese AI models, citing national security concerns and a growing reliance on PRC-developed systems. This scrutiny is part of a broader inquiry into American companies' adoption of Chinese AI, aiming to strengthen U.S. open-weight alternatives.
US lawmakers have raised national security concerns regarding DoorDash's potential use of Chinese AI models, citing growing dependence on PRC-developed technology. They have requested an in-person briefing with DoorDash staff by August 21 to discuss the issue.
Walmart-owned Flipkart plans to launch a pilot for online food delivery in India within 30 days, aiming to challenge market leaders Zomato and Swiggy. The company will learn from the pilot before a wider national rollout, believing a strong value proposition can disrupt the market.
A Chinese food delivery rider won a top literary award, signaling a resurgence of worker-authored literature. This new wave, distinct from Maoist-era writing, details exploitation and despair, resonating with readers both inside and outside China, despite Communist Party censorship.
Eternal's Q1FY27 shareholder letter reveals strong B2C net order value growth, with Blinkit emerging as the primary growth engine and achieving profitability. Food delivery remains a steady profit anchor, while new ventures like Bistro and Nugget are in early investment stages.
Food delivery and quick commerce platforms like Swiggy and Zomato have added "Jantar Mantar Protest Site" as an address, experiencing a 70-80% surge in orders for food, groceries, and medical supplies. Brands are increasing supplies, and some outlets served as first-aid centers.
Eternal CEO Deepinder Goyal dismissed competition from Rapido and Swiggy's budget food delivery, citing limited impact and unsustainable economics. He emphasized Eternal's focus on its Bistro initiative, aiming for supply chain innovation to make food delivery viable at lower price points. The company reported strong Q1FY27 profits.
Chinese food delivery rider Wang Jibing, 56, won the prestigious Lu Xun Literary Prize for his poetry collection "Low Flight," which captures the daily struggles of gig economy workers. Despite the recognition, Wang plans to continue his delivery job until age 60, valuing the work's vibe and fitness benefits.
Delivery Hero's boards recommend Uber's €13 billion takeover offer, aiming to create the world's largest mobility and delivery platform. The deal, expected to finalize in H2 2027, expands Uber's global reach, conditional on regulatory approvals and Uber securing 50%+1 share.
China has fully embraced AI, with millions using AI doctors, robots in factories, and drones for delivery. The state also utilizes AI for surveillance, contrasting with Western skepticism towards the technology.
UBS analysts forecast strong June quarter results for Alibaba, citing improved e-commerce margins, reduced food delivery losses, and accelerated cloud growth. The market is expected to refocus on Alibaba's valuable AI assets, with AI model services projected to reach 10 billion yuan in annual recurring revenue.
Swiggy's Food on Train service achieved threefold year-on-year growth in Q1 FY27, expanding to over 180 cities. The service saw a surge in multi-station orders and attracted new users in smaller towns, with rotis and summer beverages being popular choices.
Experts suggest strategies to reduce spending on dining out, including setting a budget, reviewing menus beforehand, and utilizing takeout options. Many Americans are eating out less due to high prices, but these tips can help make dining out more affordable.
Chinese food delivery giant Meituan has open-sourced LongCat-2.0, an AI model with 1.6 trillion parameters. It claims to be the country’s largest AI model trained entirely on domestic hardware for both pre-training and inference, marking a significant step towards China's self-sufficiency in chip technology.
Experts suggest strategies to reduce spending on restaurant meals, including setting a budget, reviewing menus in advance, and opting for takeout pickup. Many Americans are dining out less due to high prices, but these tips can help make eating out more affordable.
Chinese tech companies like Meituan and Baidu are reportedly implementing 'optimization' measures, which employees fear are increasingly driven by AI replacing human roles. This follows widespread rumors of significant layoffs.
New York City officials are seeking a preliminary injunction to ban food delivery platform Motoclick from operating unless it complies with minimum wage laws. The company allegedly paid workers as little as $3.67-$4.67 per hour, far below the required $22.13, prompting a lawsuit for millions in back pay and damages.
A 20-year-old Chinese food delivery rider, Jin Xiaowu, died on May 27 in Guizhou province while rescuing a father and son from a river's undertow. His company was moved by his dying wish and plans to fulfill it.
An unemployed man in Wuxi, China, surnamed Wan, ordered fried rice and requested extra due to financial hardship. The restaurant not only provided a larger portion but also offered him an apprenticeship, leading to widespread social media praise for the owner's kindness.
Meituan, China's food delivery leader, is accused of paying merchants to spread negative information about rival Taobao Shangou, a unit of Alibaba. This comes amid intensified competition and regulatory scrutiny in the sector.
South Korea's Fair Trade Commission (FTC) rejected corrective measures proposed by food delivery platforms Woowa Brothers (Baedal Minjok) and Coupang (Coupang Eats). The FTC deemed the proposals insufficient to address allegations of market dominance abuse against restaurants and consumers, opting against a consent decree.
China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has proposed new rules to prevent food delivery platforms from misusing subsidies. The draft regulations aim to stop market disruption, selling goods at a loss, and forcing merchants into subsidy programs, addressing concerns about intense competition harming businesses, drivers, and consumers.
