[clairity]

yes, the logistics problem--delivering cost-effectively at-scale--is the one-and-only big hurdle in any delivery service, not technology or even marketing, although those things can help solve the core logistics problem.

having fixed routes & schedules sounds like it solves the logistics problem for dabbawalas, insofar as it becomes cost-effective that way.

with that said, i'll repeat my strategic positioning argument about ubereats: it's a flanking product meant to maintain supplier power (power over drivers), so it does not need to be profitable by itself. combined with the additional revenue, ubereats just needs to lower supplier costs enough via lock-in to make its existance worth it.