Tech companies have long offered perks like free meals to boost productivity, and now a new level of convenience is emerging. Tiny self-driving robots are beginning to deliver lunches and other supplies directly to employees at Silicon Valley office parks.
London-based Starship Technologies, founded by former Skype executives Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis, is rolling out its first large-scale deployment of autonomous delivery robots across corporate and academic campuses in the US and Europe. The robots are already operating at Intuit’s Mountain View campus, and the company aims to deploy 1,000 vehicles by the end of 2018.
Previously, Starship teamed up with DoorDash in Redwood City to test robotic food delivery. During the pilot, an algorithm determined whether a human courier or a robot should complete each order. For instance, when a customer ordered lasagna, the robot was chosen to deliver it, thanks to the restaurant’s favorable location on wide sidewalks and its proximity within a two-mile delivery radius.
Each robot is equipped with nine cameras and ultrasonic sensors that create a virtual safety bubble around it. This system allows the robot to detect and navigate around unexpected obstacles, such as pedestrians or construction cones. If the robot encounters a situation it can’t handle—for example, a crosswalk lacking a traffic light—it can quickly alert a human operator, who then provides guidance via a live video feed.
Even when navigating construction zones or uneven terrain, the robots have shown an impressive ability to adapt. While early tests involved a human chaperone, Starship’s robots now operate independently over the entire 4.3-acre Intuit campus.
Employees and passersby have responded positively, often stopping to take photos of the futuristic delivery service. Starship Technologies reports that its robots have already covered over 100,000 miles and encountered more than 15 million people without any incidents. The robots are secured with a locking mechanism and even emit an alarm if tampering is detected, making them an unattractive target for theft.
Although some critics worry that such technology might replace human delivery workers, the founders insist that the robots are designed to complement, not replace, human couriers. On corporate campuses like Intuit, where there was previously no dedicated delivery service, the robots now offer a convenient solution. So far, Intuit employees have placed more than 1,600 orders, with breakfast sandwiches being among the most popular items.
This innovative service represents a step forward in combining technology with everyday convenience, redefining how busy professionals get their meals delivered right to their desks.
