"Robots will neither be common nor very good in 2014, but they will be in existence."
-Issac Asimov in his 1964 essay, Visit to the World’s Fair of 2014
Spin forward a few years and a May 23, 2017, news headline catches our attention: Why yes, those are robot delivery minions at UC Berkeley. The news says that UC Berkeley has deployed a new on-demand delivery service called Kiwi. Back then, Kiwi comprised a fleet of 20 smart robots, which could be used to pick up and deliver personal care and food items within a one-square-mile area.
From Isaac Asimov’s futuristic visions of robots living alongside humans to today’s university quads, what once sounded like pure science fiction is now very much a reality, which can be found across many university campus sidewalks - sometimes delivering food items to students, sometimes causing a stir!
This blog focuses on the broader question of the suitability of delivery robots in university campuses. Therefore, it discusses the benefits and drawbacks of delivering these machines in university campuses and charts some successful and unsuccessful attempts at such deployments.
If you wish to understand the importance of delivery robots beyond university campuses, read our new report: Delivery Robots: 2.1 million automated urban delivery vehicles by 2034.
University campuses have quickly evolved into living laboratories for delivery robots and various delivery manufacturers are using this space to experiment with their robots. Universities offer a unique testing ground where technology meets everyday student life. The robots are relatively small and are being increasingly used to deliver everything - from coffee and late-night snacks to textbooks and lab supplies, saving time and increasing convenience and efficiency for both students and faculty members.
Early deployment of delivery robots at UC Berkeley has shown how delivery robots can become part of campus culture. Yet, there are setbacks, which reveal that it is not very simple to integrate robots into academic environments.
This section discusses some of the major benefits of deploying delivery robots in university campuses, including convenience, efficiency, and learning opportunities.
Delivery robots provide quick access to food, books, and supplies without requiring lengthy trips across campus. This saves time for students and faculty members alike. For instance, the rollout of Kiwi robots at UC Berkeley made sense, since many campus residents lacked the time or space to cook, and therefore, fast, robot-delivered meals fit seamlessly into student life.
Delivery robots reduce the strain on human delivery staff and can handle multiple short-distance deliveries simultaneously. This is especially beneficial in countries that are facing workforce shortages. Moreover, these robots can work continuously without requiring regular breaks, allowing them to provide consistent service beyond hours when regular classes are held.
University campuses have become testbeds for cutting-edge robotics, offering students unique opportunities for exposure to real-world technology. In future, these universities may also serve as innovation hubs where industry and academia can collaborate on future-ready solutions.
Now, let us have a look at some of the drawbacks of the same, including potential disruption and high costs.
Delivery robots can get stuck, break down, or cause delays, especially in crowded or uneven campus terrains. This can result in a negative impression for the students. For instance, in December 2018, a KiwiBot robot caught fire at UC Berkeley’s campus and burst into flames, due to a defective battery that had been installed in it.
Sidewalk bots may obstruct pathways for people with disabilities or create congestion in high-traffic areas. To cite an example, as reported in 2019, a disabled doctoral student, Emily Ackerman got trapped at the University of Pittsburgh, since a Starship robot blocked the only accessible entrance to the sidewalk.
Delivery robots’ deployment and maintenance can be expensive, and therefore, not all universities can afford them. For instance, Starship’s robots cost USD5,500 (although the company was aiming to reduce this amount to USD2,250), a price many universities (especially the smaller ones and those dealing with budgetary constraints) can’t justify without strong demand.
This section of the blog charts some real-life deployments of delivery robots and the eventual outcomes of those deployments. Some have been successful, with delivery robots quickly integrated into campus life, whilst other have been less so.
This section lists three successful deployments of smart delivery robots, with food delivery a recurring theme.
Starship Technologies rolled out a fleet of small, six-wheeled robots that deliver meals and snacks across the campus of George Mason University. The project quickly became popular, with students praising the speed, reliability, and novelty of having food arrive in a robot.
University of Wisconsin-Madison deployed delivery robots in 2019 and the deployment gained traction. Students appreciated the ability to order food without waiting in long lines, especially during peak hours. The robots proved particularly valuable during the COVID-19 pandemic, when they reduced physical contact and ensured safe food delivery.
Arizona State University also saw positive results with delivery robots. Their expansive campus made the university an ideal testing ground. The robots improved operational efficiency for dining services and provided a futuristic edge that resonated with tech-savvy students.
Here, we have listed some instances where such smart delivery robots have become a matter of concerns for the students, resulting in them being slowly rejected.
In 2019, the University of Pittsburgh pulled experimental food delivery robots off its campus after just a few weeks of use on Oakland’s streets, after a disabled student was blocked by a robot on a sidewalk. The University paused testing to further review the technology and focus more on safety.
In 2023, Starship Technologies launched a robot delivery service at Baylor University. Twenty Starship autonomous robots were deployed to deliver food from seven campus eateries (including Panda Express, Starbucks, and Moe’s) to over 20,000 students, faculty, and staff. However, by September 2024, it was reported that the eateries were dealing with issues like spilled drinks, wrong order delivery, delivery robots getting stuck due to bad weather, and therefore, they were gradually phasing out the use of robots.
In January 2023, East Carolina University (ECU) introduced Starship delivery robots to “offer innovative service to the campus community”. However, the robots have been a nuisance for students like Sierra Isaacs (who has been hit thrice, causing damage and injury). Therefore, the students are now demanding the removal of these robots, owing to the safety risks and mobility issues.
It is too early to reach any firm conclusion about the long-term potential for the deployment of smart delivery robots at university campuses. However, the mixed outcomes of these smart robot deployments provide valuable insights. Smart delivery robots must be designed and programmed to safely coexist with everybody on campus, including those with mobility challenges. Moreover, security and maintenance cannot be overlooked - addressing serious issues, like vandalism, theft, and upkeep is essential for long-term success. On the other hand, students, faculty members, and university administrative staff should also be open to embracing the potential of delivery robots as part of campus life.
