Collaboration with Cambourne Town Council will see robots from Starship Technologies recharge autonomously between grocery deliveries
LONDON | Tuesday 19th March 2024
Starship Technologies, the world’s leading provider of autonomous delivery services, has today announced the installation of the first wireless charging station for its robots in Europe. Thanks to a collaboration with Cambourne Town Council, a fleet of Starship robots will now recharge autonomously between making grocery deliveries across Cambourne in Cambridgeshire.
Since first launching its autonomous delivery service in Cambourne back in May 2022, offering quick and convenient groceries from the Co-op store at 29 Mosquito Road in Upper Cambourne, Starship’s robots have become a popular sight in the neighbourhood. The on-demand, convenient and environmentally friendly service has helped cut down on car journeys and provided a valuable solution to people living with mobility challenges.
Starship first introduced wireless charging stations on George Mason University campus in the US over six months ago. Introduction in Cambourne marks the first European installation and will strengthen Starship’s commitment to make its delivery offering even more sustainable.
Starship now expects to further reduce emissions in Cambourne as robots will no longer need to be couriered by van between service areas. Wireless charging is more energy-efficient, allowing the robots to charge up overnight, while they’re sleeping, on-site. In this way, wireless charging will also lower the cost of providing autonomous delivery services in the long term.
Danny Pass, Director of European Field Operations at Starship Technologies, said: “People in Cambourne have told us how much they love Starship’s robot delivery service, and now we’re making it even more environmentally friendly by rolling out the first ever autonomous wireless charging stations in Europe. Cambourne is leading the way! When they’re low on energy, the little guys will take themselves to charge, then get back to work when they’re re-energised. We’re really proud to have worked with the Town Council to bring new innovation and technology into the community.”
John Vickery, Cambourne Town Clerk, commented: “For nearly two years now, Starship’s robots have been embraced and widely welcomed as part of the local community. So we are very proud that Cambourne has been chosen as the location for the first European installation of wireless charging facilities for the robots.”
Chris Conway, Co-op ecommerce Director, said: “We are facing a climate and environmental crisis, and Co-op is committed to cutting carbon emissions from its own operations and, supply chain. We know that the autonomous, quick and convenient delivery of groceries can reduce the number of short car journeys locally, and are pleased to see the introduction of wireless charging designed to further improve the energy efficiency of robot deliveries.”
Starship’s 2,000+ fleet of robots operate 99% autonomously and complete 150,000 crossings globally every day. The average delivery takes only the same amount of energy to boil a kettle for one cup of tea. Last month, Starship announced its latest funding round had seen a further $90m (£71m+) raised as the company continues to bring the benefits of autonomous delivery to local neighbourhoods and university campuses in more than 80 locations around the world.
In the UK, the robots are already a firm favourite in households across several other towns and cities including Leeds, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Trafford and Wakefield. Since launching commercial service in 2018, Starship’s robots have completed more than six million autonomous deliveries around the world, more than any other provider.
The robots are lightweight and travel at the speed of a pedestrian (no faster than 4mph). They use a combination of sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning to travel on pavements and navigate around any obstacles, while computer vision-based navigation helps them map their environment to the nearest inch.
-ENDS-
About Starship Technologies:
Starship Technologies is revolutionizing deliveries with autonomous robots. The robots are designed to deliver food, groceries and packages locally in minutes. The delivery robots have traveled over 11 million km and completed over six million autonomous deliveries around the
world. Starship was founded by Janus Friis (Skype co-founder) and Ahti Heinla (Skype chief architect) who is also CEO.
Website: https://www.starship.xyz
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StarshipRobots
X: @StarshipRobots
Instagram: @starshiprobots
MEDIA CONTACTS:
James Meredith / Hope Bradley
Liberty Communications
starship@libertycomms.com
[Images available upon request]
