Robot delivery has been made available in the centre of a UK town for the first time.
A fleet of 40 robots developed by Starship Technologies will now deliver daily to more than 180,000 people that work and live in the centre of Milton Keynes, between 10am and 4pm.
Using the Starship app, food and drink can be delivered from a range of brands in the town, with more merchants to be added throughout March.
Starship Technologies said it aims “for delivery in around 30 minutes”.
The rollout follows the success of Starship Technologies’ service in other areas across Milton Keynes, including Monkston, Emerson Valley and Bletchley.
Since April 2018, Starship has made over 100,000 deliveries in those suburbs, with some residents reportedly making up to 200 orders annually.
Mayor of Milton Keynes, councillor Sam Crooks, said: “The robots have become an iconic sight in the town and everyone’s excited at the prospect of them delivering in the town centre.
“For the 180,000 people who work in the centre of Milton Keynes, this means that they can get their lunch delivered to them conveniently, saving them time during their working day.”
According to Andy Curtis, Starship’s head of UK operations, the robots can operate all day without needing to be recharged and require only a few hours at night when charging is needed.
It’s believed that the newly expanded service could help ease traffic congestion and improve air quality in the town centre, by giving people the option of electrically-powered robot delivery, said Starship Technologies in a statement.
According to Milton Keynes Council, the town centre suffers from traffic congestion that rises above 85% of the road or junction’s capacity, and roads that lead into the town often see 100% or more of its capacity.
“We’re living in an era where we are more conscious about the individual effect we’re having on the environment, and the centre of Milton Keynes can get very congested,” said Crooks.
“Hopefully this new service will ease congestion in the centre and make it that bit more environmentally-friendly, whilst giving workers the opportunity to experience robot delivery in a town on the front line of new technological advancements.”
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