Delivery robots hit American streets

|23 September 2016|

USA

Rolling robots delivering groceries to city residents will become a reality for residents of Washington DC this Autumn.

Etonian startup Starship Technologies has been granted permission to use the six wheeled robots on sidewalks in the American city. During delivery, shoppers can track the robot’s location in real time through a mobile app and on arrival only the app holder is able to unlock the cargo.

This builds on Starship Technologies announcement earlier this month that it is partnering with Mercedes-Benz Vans to develop ’Robovan’, the worlds first transportation system integrating specially-adapted vans with autonomous delivery robots to allow efficient delivery of goods in neighbourhoods.

“Starship Technologies has solved the last mile problem by introducing sidewalk delivery robots. However vans are best suited to bring goods to the local area from businesses and distribution centres. When the two transportation methods converge into one, the outcome is the most efficient, cost effective and convenient local delivery method in the world’’, said Ahti Heinla, CEO of Starship Technologies.