Starship Technologies has begin a trial of its new food delivery robots. They’re doing it in collaboration with the online delivery platform Just Eat to bring it to life. In the final phase of live testing, it includes real customer orders from up to twelve restaurants within Sunderland. Its purpose is to evaluate the efficacy of robotic delivery systems in dense, urban environments. The six-wheeled vehicles, equipped with cameras for navigation, feature a distinctive flashing orange flag that signals their presence on the busy streets.
Rachael Atkinson, a local resident who has encountered the bots personally, called this all a “bit crazy.” Teddy, her young son, was impressed to see the gigantic machines at work. He had to emphasize how remarkable this technology is in our daily lives. When they see them, most community members are curious about the robots. Yet, as we described last year, others have sounded alarms about their threat to jobs and impending vandalism.
Starship Technologies further responded to these concerns, promising that the robots aren’t meant to replace human workers. Instead, they see the robots as a tool to improve the efficiency of their delivery. Ahti Heinla, founder and chief executive of Starship Technologies, emphasized this point by stating, “I think there will be more and more both human couriers and delivery robots.” He stressed how vital robots are to providing the new infrastructure we need for the growing demand. For some routes, even those with the most advanced automation, he recognized that human touch will still be needed.
Peter Richardson, general manager of Koji, one of the participating restaurants, explained why he is optimistic about the technology’s ability to help. He said that robots are especially important during peak times, like the Christmas holiday. They come in to support human drivers when they’re not able to. It’s not subtracting from the human element, because you still have the choice,” Richardson continued. He underscored how these robots could help solve staffing issues in peak times when human employees might have to take leave.
While there’s plenty of optimism that such new technology could work great, not everybody is on board. Alex Marshall, president of the Independent Workers’ Union of Great Britain (IWGB), condemned the robots as “dystopian.” He flagged important issues regarding their ability to replace human labor. Marshall’s comments have resonated with those wary of automation’s implications for job security.
While the trial continues, public sentiment is still split between supporting prosecution or defense. Other residents appreciate the robots’ novelty and convenience. Proponents are excited about the new roles these machines can play. Skeptics cannot ignore the threat they pose to jobs in the future.