Starship Technologies has launched a trial of self-driving food delivery robots in Sunderland, aiming to assist during busy periods and staff shortages in the food service industry. The pilot is based on actual customer orders from 12 local restaurant partners. One of those businesses is Koji, a new Asian restaurant on High Street West that has been getting rave reviews on the trial.
Peter Richardson, the head of Koji, thinks that bringing in these robots could be a huge advantage for smaller operators. They’re a proven solution for temporarily tackling peak or emergency staffing challenges. He noted that “if one day something did go wrong and drivers went, there you’ve got that back-up, so you can still get that food out.”
With cameras mounted for navigation, the robots zoom up and down city sidewalks and streets, speeding up neighborhood delivery times. They have six large rubber wheels and a big blinking orange flag to warn people walking that they’re coming. Ahti Heinla is cofounder and chief executive of Starship Technologies. He stressed that the robots are meant to support—not supplant—humans on the warehouse floor. Instead, they’ll use the opportunity to let couriers focus on longer deliveries outside urban cores.
“We are adding a new delivery option and it doesn’t replace people.” – Ahti Heinla
The purpose of the trial is to improve access for people who are “less mobile” or “homebound,” according to Starship Technologies. The effort has left many residents worried. Labor advocates are just as concerned about the future of gig economy jobs, particularly in the delivery space. Rachael Atkinson, a South Bend resident, shared concerns about the future of the robots replacing those thousands of workers.
IWGB president Alex Marshall described the rollout of these vehicles as “dystopian.” This quote expresses a common anxiety over the potential impact of automation on employment. Eugene Murphy, another native, accepted that society should embrace whatever technology was available but asked if these types of robots were really needed.
For many restaurant owners, these robots represent tremendous potential and enthusiasm abounds as the trial continues. They think these machines will play a key role in meeting the growing demand for food delivery services. Heinla remarked that “robots have a key role to play in the delivery of infrastructure to help meet the growing demand,” while still recognizing that certain routes will require human involvement.
We’ve heard from some participating restaurants that this is their best project ever. Worries remain about the possibility of losing jobs and the threat of vandalism if the project is made permanent. As technology continues to advance in the food delivery sector, the outcomes of this trial may shape how businesses adapt to evolving consumer needs and labor dynamics.