Starship Robot

Product Description

Starship Robot is a self-driving delivery robot. It has six wheels and is able to deliver parcels, food or groceries directly from stores to the customers within a 4 mile radius. It moves at pedestrian speed and can carry up to 100 pounds. The cargo bay is locked and can only be opened by the recipient. The robot is tracked throughout the delivery via the mobile app. The robots are used among others to reach vulnerable persons during the Covid-19 pandemic without potential human contact.

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Co-op, Tesco, Sodexo

Manufacturing/Building Method

From testing to ramp-up and serial production

Intellectural Property Type

Patent Protected

User Provision Model

The restaurant or distributors pay a fee for the service if they want to have deliveries operated by Starship. The user via the app will pay a fee of 1.99 USD.

Distributions to Date Status

Plans to have 5000 delivery robots operating by 2021

Design Specifications

The loaded robots weigh up to 100 pounds. They can carry a load of up to 20 pounds. The robot has six wheels. Dimensions are:

Height : 55.9 cm
Length: 68.6 cm
Width: 55.9 cm

The robot is equipped with sensors and AI to map and understand the world around the robot. It has advanced object-detection system running at over 2,000 frames per second and a mapping system that allows it to understand its location to the nearest inch. The robot has for this purpose a suite of cameras around the outside that can be used to identify obstacles and help guide it to its destination.

Technical Support

The robots are remotely operated by one person in groups of 20. The operator follows the robots and will intervene if support is needed.

Replacement Components

Unknown

Lifecycle

Unknown

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

Faster local delivery, smarter and more cost-efficient

Vetted Performance Status

Tested by students in campuses; user ratings in App Store that discuss the Covid-19 lock-down circumstances and requesting more coverage of the delivery service.

Safety

The robot is equipped with a collision avoidance system and with cameras to ensure safe transport among pedestrian and to the destination.

Complementary Technical Systems

The app is used to order deliveries with the robot.

Academic Research and References

Hoffmann, T. and Prause, G., 2018, On the Regulatory Framework for Last-Mile Delivery Robots, Machines, 6(3), 33

Compliance with regulations

Unknown

Other Information

None