Starship Technologies: how delivery robots are changing people's lives

Starship Technologies announced that in the fall of 2021 it will launch robot delivery service on four additional college campuses: the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), the University of Kentucky (UK), the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. 

These campuses will join the list of US university campuses where Starship robots will continue making deliveries this fall. In total, there are already more than 1,000 robots. All of the universities mentioned were the first in their states to offer an autonomous on-demand robot delivery service in their campus communities. 

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At Embry-Riddle and UNR, the service has already started and will be fully operational when students return to classes. At UK, service began on August 16 and will be fully ready in a week, when classes start. At UIC, service will start in the fall. Details on robot delivery on these campuses:

1. UIC: 25 robots and 11 retail options, including Starbucks, Panda Express and Freshii.
2. UK: 20 robots and 7 retail options, including Starbucks, Subway and Auntie Anne’s.
3. UNR: 20 robots and 14 retail options, including Panera Bread, Habit Burger and Baja Fresh.
4. Embry-Riddle: 20 robots and 10 retail options, including Starbucks, QDOBA, Flight Cafe and Legacy Walk Wings Food Truck.

"We are very glad to welcome such a diverse and interesting list of educational institutions to our services. We have worked hard to become a reliable and integrated partner in campus communities, and this hard work has paid off. We continue to add new institutions every semester. This fall we will announce new ones. Students love the robots, and institutions appreciate the ability to offer this service. We look forward to meeting students at each of these institutions and look forward to hiring students on all campuses to give them real hands-on experience with robots and artificial intelligence," said Alastair Westgarth, CEO of Starship Technologies. 

The company's goal is a revolution in delivery

Starship robots are revolutionizing the delivery of food and parcels, offering people convenient new services that improve their lives. The coronavirus pandemic has increased the importance of the company's mission, as global demand for contactless delivery has grown exponentially. 

During the peak of the pandemic, when people could not leave their homes, one of Starship's priorities was providing people with groceries as needed. In the long term, contactless delivery will become an integral part of everyday life for millions of people. 

Students also quickly embraced Starship delivery robots when they began operating at George Mason University in Virginia in January 2019. The robots' popularity continues to grow, as the service is now available on nearly 20 different campuses in 15 states. 

The company also plays a key role in securing the adoption of laws on the safe operation of personal delivery devices, which are currently permitted to operate in more than 50% of US states. 

Why delivery robots matter during and after the pandemic

The executive director of housing and dining services at the University of Nevada said Starship robots are seen as an important part of safely bringing students back to campus. Everyone wants to resume in-person classes and return to campus, so university leadership is doing everything possible. 

Delivery robots have several advantages: they make social distancing easier, they are convenient, students like them, and they carry on the legacy of an innovative university campus. 

"I never thought I would be sharing sidewalks with a robot when I was thinking about going to college, but they feel at home with the coming era of innovation and technology. It seems really futuristic, yet at the same time completely normal. It's always nice to see them travel around campus, and the food delivery option is a huge bonus that my friends and I can't get enough of!" said Johan Restrepo, an Embry-Riddle student. 

The company says Starship has been an important service for many students during the pandemic. With the arrival of robots, the number of students on campuses kept increasing despite the coronavirus. Many students said the robots made their time on campus "more normal" and helped lift their spirits during a really difficult time. 

How it works

The Starship Food Delivery app can be downloaded on iOS and Android. To start, users choose from a range of their favorite dishes and drinks, then set a pin for where the order should be delivered. An interactive map lets you watch the robot head toward you. When it arrives, the user receives a notification, after which they can meet the robot and unlock it through the app. 

Delivery hours vary depending on the operating hours of the restaurants participating in the service. Payment options include credit and debit cards, as well as a meal plan for students. It is worth noting that at each campus, students are hired and trained to join the Starship team. 

Starship Technologies carries out commercial operations worldwide every day. Zero-emission robots have already completed more than 1.6 million autonomous deliveries, traveled millions of kilometers, and make more than 80,000 road crossings every day.