Robots up north: Starship Technologies and Co-op bring autonomous food delivery to Leeds

Starship Technologies has partnered with Leeds City Council and the Co-op to bring autonomous grocery delivery to the streets of Leeds.

The service will be available to 20,000 residents initially within the Adel and Tinshill area of Leeds.

Orders are made through the Starship app, which is available for download on iOS and Android, with groceries picked in local Co-op stores on Spen Lane, Tinshill and Otley Road, Adel, for rapid delivery.

The expansion in the north of England for the first time follows the introduction of autonomous deliveries in Milton Keynes, Bedford, Northampton, Cambourne, and most recently Cambridge.

Chris Conway, E-commerce Director, Co-op, says: “Co-op is committed to exploring new and innovative ways to increase access to its products and services. Our members and customers lead busy lives and so ease, speed and convenience is a cornerstone of our approach.”

“Co-op stores are well placed to provide quick home deliveries in communities with products picked fresh in our local stores - whether that is a full grocery shop or for those last-minute top-ups, treats for evenings at home or forgotten items.”

“We are delighted to be expanding into Yorkshire to provide flexible, quick and convenient options online for shoppers in our communities.”

Alastair Westgarth, CEO at Starship Technologies, comments: “This is our first significant expansion to the north of England, and we are confident the robots will make a positive impact in terms of actively reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions, while also providing ease and convenience for local communities.”

“Our robots have been widely welcomed as part of the community in all the areas we operate, and we are confident they will be equally embraced in Leeds.”

“We are looking forward to working closely with Leeds City Council and Co-op and hope to further expand our service to more parts of Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region in the near future.”

Starship, which was created by the co-founders of Skype in 2014, currently operates a fully commercial service in five countries around the world and several towns and cities in the UK including Milton Keynes, Bedford, Northampton, Cambridge and Cambourne.

2022 RTIH Innovation Awards

Starship has been shortlisted in the Supply Chain Innovation category at the 2022 RTIH Innovation Awards.

It has made the cut for its work with Tesco.

The winner will be revealed at an exclusive event in central London on Tuesday, 6th December.

RTIH Editor, Scott Thompson, says: “Innovation and technology play a critical role in the success of the retail sector, so it is great to recognise standout examples through our awards.”

“Thanks to all those who have entered the 2022 event. We received a record number of submissions and many fantastic examples of the continued resilience and dynamism of the retail space during hugely challenging times.”

“I’m now looking forward to deciding the winners with our judging panel and announcing them at our central London event in December.”