Starship Technologies' six-wheeled delivery robots have been a familiar sight in Milton Keynes since 2018, but they could soon be rolling across the entire United Kingdom under new government laws on micromobility vehicles. The robots, used by Co-op for grocery deliveries, have already expanded to Wakefield, Leeds, and Bristol via Just Eat.
How the Robots Work
The autonomous robots use a combination of radars, cameras, sensors, and AI to navigate pavements at about 4 mph (6.5 kph). They stop and readjust for obstacles, carefully cross roads, and dodge pedestrians. In a test delivery, a robot completed a journey from a Co-op to a customer's home in five minutes—faster than the seven-minute walk but slower than a three-minute bike ride.
Resident Reactions
Amrita Singh, a 46-year-old project manager, calls the robots "a wonderful experience" and says they are "very useful," especially when her husband travels and she is alone with her kids. George Donmar, 38, who moved from London in 2018, says his sons "love the robots" and used them frequently during Covid lockdowns. However, he doubts they would thrive in London due to crowding and potential vandalism.
Safety Concerns
Disability and pedestrian safety charities have raised alarms. In 2019, the University of Pittsburgh paused testing after a wheelchair user was blocked by a robot. Catherine Woodhead, CEO of Living Streets, calls the robots "dangerous" for older, disabled, blind, or partially sighted people and parents with buggies, stating "pavements are for people." Starship's head of public affairs, Lisa Johnson, says the robots recognize mobility devices and will "get out of the way," with human backup available if needed.
Technical Glitches
During a test, a robot failed to return after a delivery due to an app error, remaining stubbornly stationary until a customer service agent resolved the issue. Despite such teething problems, Stacey Cordes, a 38-year-old department store worker, says the robots work well for those who cannot drive or walk to the shop, but implores people to treat them with respect to ensure continued use.
