The inexorable rise of automated food deliveries and potential anticipatory policy actions

Simone Pettigrew; Victoria Farrar; Leon Booth; Charles Karl; Branislava Godic; Julie Brown; Jason Thompson

doi:10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100065

The inexorable rise of automated food deliveries and potential anticipatory policy actions

Aust N Z J Public Health. 2023 Aug;47(4):100065. doi: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100065. Epub 2023 Jun 15.

Authors

Simone Pettigrew¹, Victoria Farrar², Leon Booth², Charles Karl³, Branislava Godic⁴, Julie Brown², Jason Thompson⁵

Affiliations

¹ The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: spettigrew@georgeinstitute.org.au.
² The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.
³ ARRB, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Transport, Health and Urban Design (THUD) Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
⁵ Melbourne School of Design, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Transport, Health and Urban Design (THUD) Research Lab, Faculty of Architecture, Building and Planning, The University of Melbourne, Australia; University Department of Rural Health, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 37330362
DOI: 10.1016/j.anzjph.2023.100065

Abstract

Objective: Food deliveries to consumers using autonomous vehicles are forecast to become commonplace in Australia and globally. The aims of this study were to (i) explore the anticipated nature of AV food delivery services in Australia and (ii) identify available policy options to optimise positive outcomes and minimise any negative consequences for health and well-being.

Methods: In total, 36 interviews were conducted with 40 expert stakeholders across a range of relevant sectors including transport, urban planning, health and telecommunications. Interviewees discussed the ways in which automated food deliveries are likely to be implemented and the potential implications for lifestyles and health.

Results: The interviewees expected automated food deliveries to constitute an extension of current trends towards online food ordering and rapid home deliveries, with potential adverse implications for diet quality at the population level.

Conclusions: Effective regulation of automated food and beverage delivery services will be needed to anticipate and address this emerging phenomenon.

Implications for public health: There is the opportunity to optimise the public health outcomes associated with automated food deliveries while minimising potential negative consequences through proactive anticipatory action. Delays could result in undesirable and irreversible changes to the food environment.

Keywords: autonomous vehicles; diet; food; nutrition; transport.

MeSH terms

Australia
Diet*
Food Services*
Humans
Nutrition Policy