A new class of delivery bots heads to campus
Fresh-faced delivery robots are arriving on college campuses after the leading incumbent graduated to chase bigger ambitions.
TL;DR
- Starship Technologies, a pioneer in campus robot delivery, has shifted its focus to grocery delivery, leaving a void on college campuses.
- New companies like Avride and Robot.com are expanding their robot delivery services on campuses.
- College campuses are ideal test environments for delivery robots due to high order volumes, student demographics, and compact settings.
- The Ohio State University saw nearly 235,000 robot deliveries in one academic year, highlighting the demand.
- A new U.S. rule restricting foreign-made robots could make the economics of robot delivery unworkable for companies relying on overseas manufacturing.
- The primary driver for Starship's shift was the potential for year-round deliveries and higher delivery volume compared to the seasonal nature of campus delivery.