Gorillas 'Project Ace' rider work schedule automation backfires

An algorithm used by German grocery delivery service Gorillas to optimise rider  schedules and improve efficiency led to widespread confusion and dissatisfaction among riders.

Designed to allocate shifts and routes more effectively, Gorillas' 'Project Ace' automated scheduling system failed to properly allocate shifts, resulting in many riders being assigned unsuitable or impossible work hours.

This led to a high number of unfilled shifts and delayed deliveries, directly impacting customer satisfaction and the company's reputation. 

The failure was seen to have stemmed from multiple factors, including poor quality data, inadequate testing, flawed algorithms, and lack of human oversight.

The incident highlights the potential pitfalls of over-relying on automation without adequate safeguards and human oversight.