News Summary
Old Dominion University has partnered with Grubhub and Starship Technologies to introduce a high-tech robot food delivery service on campus. A fleet of 11 autonomous robots will deliver meals from seven popular eateries, offering students a convenient way to order food through the Grubhub app. With real-time tracking and zero-emission capabilities, this service aims to enhance student life and streamline the dining experience as the fall semester approaches. ODU’s innovative approach sets a benchmark for other universities in Virginia to follow.
Norfolk, Virginia – Old Dominion University (ODU) is launching a high-tech robot food delivery service today in a collaboration with Grubhub and Starship Technologies. This innovative service will bring meals directly to the campus community, marking ODU as one of only three universities in Virginia to implement such a delivery system.
A fleet of 11 autonomous Starship robots will handle the deliveries, serving a variety of food options from seven eateries located on campus. These include popular dining venues like Chick-fil-A, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Qdoba, and Steak ‘N Shake, providing students with convenient access to their favorite meals.
The ordering process is streamlined through the Grubhub app, allowing users to place orders easily. The app includes a real-time tracking system that enables users to monitor their delivery on an interactive map. Once the robot arrives with the order, users receive an alert, and they can unlock the robot using the app.
Students have the option to utilize flex points for food purchases, although they will need to pay delivery fees through a credit card transaction. This payment method provides added flexibility for students managing their finances while enjoying this new convenience.
Shannon Hurt, assistant vice president for Campus Life Services, noted that there is a strong demand among students for more convenient food delivery options. The introduction of this service aims to meet that demand and enhance the overall campus experience.
The Starship robots are designed with environmental considerations in mind, operating with zero emissions. They utilize advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to navigate the campus terrain, which includes sidewalks, curbs, and crosswalks. Each robot can carry up to 20 pounds and is built to make deliveries within minutes, depending on the distance and order size.
Additionally, the robots are capable of functioning in various weather conditions and are equipped with remote monitoring features to ensure safety during operation. This high-tech initiative reflects ODU’s commitment to embracing innovation and enhancing student life on campus.
The launch of the robot food delivery service comes at an opportune time, coinciding with the upcoming fall semester at ODU. As students return to campus, they will be able to take advantage of this cutting-edge service, blending technology with everyday campus life to make dining on the go more accessible and user-friendly.
As one of the few universities in Virginia to adopt this advanced delivery service, ODU is setting a precedent for other institutions looking to provide seamless dining experiences. The integration of robot deliveries not only promotes convenience but also emphasizes ODU’s forward-thinking approach to campus services and sustainability.
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- 13 News Now
- Wikipedia: Robot Delivery
- Norfolk Daily News
- Google Search: Robot food delivery
- The Record
- Google Scholar: Robotic food delivery
- Verdict Food Service
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Food Delivery Robots
- GMToday
- Google News: Robot food delivery service
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