Food Delivery by Robot

Across college campuses, robots have grown to be a common form of food delivery within the past few years.

This form of delivery started in 2019 in Southern California by Door Dash. They used small robots that would carry 22lbs of food to the desired address. And since then, these robots have grown in population. 

The robots include sensors and cameras that allow them to move around the campus while avoiding obstacles like people and trash, allowing for a smooth and safe trip. As you order the food, your location will be sent to the robot and then be put in a GPS. 

The robot is also equipped with AI to help the robot decide the most efficient route. It can also identify crosswalks, pedestrians, and vehicles to avoid on its trip. 

The delivery robots use batteries to get around throughout the day, leading to efficiency. This also means that they are eco-friendly.

The robots are equipped with security systems, such as a locking system, after the food is loaded. On the food delivery app, customers will have a receipt and which allows them to unlock the robot. If someone tries to get the food, alarms are designed to sound.

 “Campus robots can be useful for many students, especially in college. Work and studying can get to be a lot, and trying to get food shouldn’t be a chore. But I believe they would be taken advantage of, and used by the students who don’t fully need it,” NHS sophomore Shayna Clark said. “There are going to be students who fully take advantage of these robots and use them due to laziness, not out of necessity,” Clark said. 

There are only so many robots that are available, and they should be available for students who are unable to go and get their food themselves. 

“As an upcoming college freshman, I'm very excited for the new food delivery robots! I think it'll make it easy to order food, so I can focus on studying hard. I'm excited to see this new tech implemented- it feels like we're living in the future!” NHS senior Creely Abbott said. “I’m worried about the loads of stress that comes with college and the massive piles of homework. I will be able to focus more on my own studies rather than how I'm going to get dinner for the night.”.

The stress of having a pile of homework set into your arms come the new college season can be overwhelming. With these robots, Creely believes that they will be great for students who are more focused on their studies rather than on where they should be getting food fastest.

“I think as far as convenience it's nice because there are some people that aren't allowed to have cars on campus and they aren't able to go get food and certain things but, I also think that it's a little bit strange to have something that has a mind of its own to be delivering food,” NHS science teacher Elizabeth Klaube said. With the growth of these robots around college campuses, a new form of delivery has taken flight. Literally.  

Lars Erik Fagernæs, Ceo and Co-Founder at Aviant, has come up with a solution for those in suburban and island communities in Scandinavia. People who live in these towns may struggle with not having access to home delivery services because of the geographic complications. Fagernaes has taken the concept of these robots and turned them into drones. 

These drones are to deliver meals to those who have a difficult time accessing food delivery services. His ultimate goal is to spread this service across Scandinavia and potentially other geographically similar areas like Canada and the northeastern U.S.

With the greater expansion of the driving robots and drones, students and citizens alike will be able to focus on other priorities, like their families and school work, rather than how to get their food.