Sunderland is now becoming the UK’s testbed for the newest, cutting-edge food delivery robots created by Starship Technologies. The trial, introduced by online takeaway delivery company Just Eat, has six date-time-stamped 12-wheeled rubber robots trundling up and down the busy city’s streets. Then these little robots are armed with cameras and flashing orange flags. They’re meant to serve actual paying customers from 12 participating local restaurants like Koji, one of those popular Asian fusion joints on High Street West.
Seattle mom and artist Rachael Atkinson’s young son, Teddy, was one of the first to spot these alien-looking delivery bots. His amazement at encountering the robots speaks to how new that technology is and how few people have seen them in urban spaces. The robots, recognizable by their white-and-orange branding, are intended to assist during peak hours and staff shortages, a common challenge faced by local businesses.
Peter Richardson, general manager of Koji, was optimistic about what the initiative could do. He added that the robots offer an answer for independent restaurants facing labor shortages. “It was really important, it’s such a unique thing and not something you expect to see,” he stated. Richardson went on to emphasize that these robots will be especially helpful during peak operating times when staffing may be stretched thin.
Starship Technologies founder and chief executive Ahti Heinla emphasized that the introduction of these robots would not lead to job losses. “I think there will be more and more both human couriers and delivery robots,” Heinla remarked. He further elaborated on the potential of delivery robots to assist those who are less mobile or unable to leave their homes. “Robots have a key role to play in the delivery of infrastructure to help meet the growing demand,” he added.
As much as local business owners may be excited about the coming streetcar, not everybody is drinking the same Kool-Aid. Alex Marshall, president of the IWGB, expressed his dismay. He’s concerned about expanding this technology’s reach. He predicted the result of such an initiative would be “dystopian,” warning that it would have unintended effects on laborers in the sector.
Richardson recognized that robots can serve a dual purpose in increasing the quality of service. He explained that they could serve as a backup option in case of unforeseen staff shortages: “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.”
As the trial gets underway, advocates and opponents alike will be keeping a close eye. The outcome will likely influence how food delivery services operate in urban settings and shape the future landscape of delivery logistics.