Robotics innovation is seeing new shifts as Serve Robotics Inc., known for its sidewalk delivery robots, agrees to a $29 million acquisition of Diligent Robotics Inc. This deal will allow Serve Robotics to step into the healthcare sector with its first foray into indoor spaces, utilizing Diligent’s signature Moxi robot currently deployed in over 25 hospitals. Industry observers view this as a strategic effort to broaden applications of autonomous robots, as Serve looks beyond outdoor navigation towards dynamic indoor environments. The partnership is anticipated to combine Serve’s expertise in scaling robotic fleets with Diligent’s experience in real-world hospital logistics, potentially impacting how medical supplies move within health facilities.
Earlier reports on Serve Robotics highlighted the company’s concentration on last-mile, outdoor delivery, with a record of deploying over 2,000 robots across the United States and notable funding rounds. Diligent Robotics, meanwhile, consistently focused on healthcare robotics with their Moxi robots, developing significant adaptability in complex indoor environments. The deal marks a pivot from previous independent growth trajectories toward collaborative opportunities that blend outdoor and indoor robotic operations. With the acquisition, industry stakeholders will watch closely as these complementary strengths play out in practical deployments.
What Makes Moxi Stand Out Indoors?
Moxi, developed by Diligent Robotics, is distinguished by its manipulation arm and capability to interact with physical infrastructure such as doors and elevators, something Serve Robotics’ outdoor models have not tackled. The Moxi robot’s proven ability to complete over 1.25 million delivery and supply tasks in busy hospitals demonstrates its reliability in crowded environments. This expansion into mobile manipulation and healthcare indicates Serve Robotics’ intention to diversify their service portfolio.
How Will Serve Robotics Help Scale Diligent’s Operations?
Serve Robotics plans to leverage its experience in rapidly scaling robot fleets to enhance Diligent Robotics’ capacity and reach. According to Ali Kashani, CEO and co-founder of Serve Robotics,
“A year ago, we had deployed 100 robots, and we scaled to 2,000. [Diligent] is at about 100 robots right now. So, a lot of what we have created — infrastructure, systems, processes, and, of course, autonomy and AI and models — all that stuff can be useful. Ultimately, what we want is to supercharge Diligent and their team.”
The company’s resources are expected to allow the Moxi robot lineup to grow and adapt, as Serve aims to share their AI modeling and logistics capabilities.
Will This Move Advance Indoor and Outdoor Robotic Synergies?
Serve Robotics expects its outdoor operation data and models to improve the capability and efficiency of Moxi robots in indoor facilities. Kashani said,
“Expanding the operating domain from just outdoors to now also indoors gives access to some unique data to teach robots how to navigate new environments. Our AI models already are doing a really fantastic job in cities. Hopefully, that enables the Moxi robots to operate even better.”
Both teams seek to exchange insights from their respective domains, predicting an impact on future robot development across various industries.
Industry watchers anticipate the acquisition’s formal closure in the first quarter of 2026, pending possible additional payments tied to performance milestones. Serve Robotics, by incorporating hospital logistics and indoor mobility into their primarily outdoor autonomous network, is positioning itself as a cross-domain player in robotics, with adaptability and scalability at the core. As this integration unfolds, it may shape how autonomous solutions are designed for both public streets and specialized environments like hospitals.
By merging Diligent Robotics’ healthcare proficiency with Serve’s large-scale outdoor experience, the agreement unites two distinct operational environments that are rarely integrated in robotics. Companies combining navigation with manipulation capabilities can address a wider variety of logistics scenarios, particularly in tailored sectors like healthcare. Readers interested in robotics deployment can watch for how this acquisition influences innovation in multi-environmental robot applications, noting that success could hinge on integrating real-world data from diverse operating conditions. Healthcare administrators considering automation should evaluate both the technical reliability and potential adaptability of these systems to specific facility needs.
