Starship Technologies Expands Food Delivery Robots to US Colleges

Starship Technologies Expands Campus Delivery Network

Starship Technologies, a leading provider of autonomous delivery solutions, has revealed plans to extend its services to four further university campuses this autumn. This expansion builds upon its existing operations across twenty campuses.

New Campus Partnerships

The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), the University of Kentucky (UK), the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and the Daytona Beach campus of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will soon benefit from the company’s innovative, six-wheeled, zero-emission delivery robots, originally developed in Estonia.

Competition and Market Trends

This announcement coincides with a partnership between Kiwibot, another autonomous delivery robot firm, and Sodexo, a major hospitality company, to facilitate food delivery on college campuses. While Kiwibot will concentrate on deliveries from dining halls and university stores, Starship will collaborate with established on-campus retailers such as Starbucks, Panda Express, and Panera Bread.

Despite differing strategies, both companies aim to meet the growing demand for delivery services as universities prepare for a more typical academic year. The ongoing rise in Delta variant cases presents both opportunities and challenges for these robotic delivery systems.

Benefits and Safety Considerations

“The Starship robots are viewed as a crucial element in the safe return of students to campus,” stated Dean Kennedy, executive director of residential life, housing and food services at UNR. “A return to in-person learning and campus life is a priority, and we are committed to ensuring this transition is conducted responsibly. These robots offer significant advantages – they promote social distancing, provide convenience, and have been enthusiastically received by students. They also align with our campus’s tradition of innovation.”

Fleet Expansion and Milestones

UIC will deploy 25 Starship robots, while UNR and Embry-Riddle will each receive 20, adding to Starship’s existing fleet of over 1,000 robots. The company has successfully completed over 1.5 million deliveries since its inception in 2014.

To date, Starship Technologies has secured $102 million in funding, including a recent $17 million investment round.

Company Vision and Student Opportunities

“We have dedicated ourselves to becoming a reliable and integrated partner within our campus communities, and this effort has yielded positive results,” commented Alastair Westgarth, CEO of Starship. “We are consistently adding new schools to our network, with further announcements expected this fall. Students appreciate the convenience of the robots, and universities value the ability to offer this service. We are eager to engage with students at these new locations and provide opportunities for them to gain practical experience working with robotics and artificial intelligence.”

How the Delivery System Works

Students and faculty can utilize the Starship Food Delivery app to select their desired meals and specify a delivery location. The app allows users to monitor the robot’s progress or receive a notification upon arrival. Delivery is completed by unlocking the robot via the app.

Starship intends to recruit and train students from local campuses who are interested in contributing to the team and expanding their knowledge of autonomous technologies.