Starship Technologies launches autonomous delivery service at The University of Akron
The University of Akron has rolled out a robot food delivery service, covering its campus building and residence halls.
This is the result of a partnership between Starship Technologies, creator of the robots, Aramark, and The University of Akron.
Starship’s fleet of autonomous, on-demand robots will deliver from several campus eateries including: Starbucks, Qdoba, Panda Express, Auntie Anne’s and Freshens.
Students, faculty and staff can now use the firm’s app to order food and drinks from local retailers to be delivered for a fee. The service works in conjunction with the student meal plan, or individuals can pay by credit card on the app.
Starship is providing services to other campuses across the US, including Purdue University, James Madison University, University of Mississippi and Arizona State University.
To get started, users open the app, choose from a range of food or drink items, then drop a pin where they want their delivery to be sent.
They can then watch as the robot makes its journey to them, via an interactive map. Once the robot arrives, they receive an alert, and can then meet and unlock it through the app.
The delivery usually takes just a matter of minutes, depending on the menu items ordered and the distance the robot must travel. Each one can carry the equivalent of about three shopping bags of goods.
“We’re happy to add another great university in Ohio,” says Chris Neider, Vice President of Business Development at Starship Technologies.
“The Zips have a very strong STEM programme, and we think the campus community will enjoy being able to use this autonomous technology on a daily basis.”
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