01.09.2020

Starship Technologies Launches Robot Delivery Service at Arizona State University and James Madison University

Starship brings contactless deliveries to two of America’s most innovative universities as company passes 500,000 autonomous deliveries

Georgia Southern University recently became the first school in Georgia to offer autonomous robot deliveries

San Francisco, CA | September 1, 2020

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a leading food and facilities partner with hundreds of colleges and universities across the US, has partnered with Starship Technologies to roll out the tech company’s robot food delivery service on two college campuses – Arizona State University (ASU) in Tempe, AZ and James Madison University (JMU) in Harrisonburg, VA. Starship’s autonomous, on-demand robots has already started deliveries at these schools, which are well-known for their innovation.

At ASU, which is one of the biggest universities in the US, there will be a fleet of 40 robots that will serve ASU’s large on-campus community. The students, faculty and staff can now use the Starship app (iOS and Android) to order food and drinks from local retailers to be delivered anywhere on campus, within minutes. Theyl have multiple merchants to choose from and the service accepts dining dollars, also known as Maroon and Gold dollars.

At JMU, a fleet of 30 robots will deliver to the school’s nearly 21,000 students, faculty and staff from 16 campus eateries: Starbucks (two locations), Dunkin’, Subway, Qdoba, Steak ‘n Shake, Chips Convenience Store, Union Taco, Festival Grab & Go, Wings, Sammy Shop, Burger Studio, Jemmy’s Corner Market, Aunt Annie’s, Freshens and Market 64 Java City. JMU Dining will also offer Skip the Line Pick Up Service at three campus eateries: Subway, Bistro 1908 and Corner Bistro Café. The service works in conjunction with the student meal plan. Diners can use their meal plan declining balance Dining Dollars, or Dining GOLD. Starship Robots also accepts credit, debit and the campus declining balance program dollars.

Last month, Georgia Southern University (GSU) became the first university in Georgia to offer autonomous robot deliveries. The Statesboro campus has 20 Starship robots to deliver food from on-campus eateries including GUS Stop food trailer, Starbucks, Market Street Deli and Sushi with Gusto. According to Eagle Dining Services’ executive director Jeff Yawn, “Eagle Dining Services is excited to offer our students a new means of services with innovative technology. These robots allow us to serve more areas of campus, safely and securely in these unprecedented times.”

“They’re so fun and easy to use,” said Sydney Harrell, JMU Class of 2022. “I am so excited to welcome the cute little bots to the JMU family. Go Dukes!”

Starship is already providing services to over 10 campuses across the country, including George Mason University, Northern Arizona University and Purdue University. Since launch, all campuses have increased the number of robots, dining options and hours of operation to meet the high demand for the service.

To get started, users open the Starship Deliveries app, choose from a range of their favorite food or drink items, then drop a pin where they want their delivery to be sent. They can then watch as the robot makes its journey to them, via an interactive map. Once the robot arrives, they receive an alert, and can then meet and unlock it through the app. The delivery usually takes just a matter of minutes, depending on the menu items ordered and the distance the robot must travel. Each robot can carry up to 20 lbs – the equivalent of about three shopping bags of goods.

“Campus life looks a lot different than it did last fall semester,” said Ryan Tuohy, SVP of Business Development at Starship Technologies. “Our robots provide contactless delivery, which can help keep students safe and make social distancing easier. We think our new campus communities are going to love the convenience that our delivery robots offer and we’re excited to become a part of life on these campuses. We’re looking forward to meeting our fellow Sun Devils, Dukes and Eagles!”

Starship Technologies operates commercially on a daily basis around the world. Its robots have traveled hundreds of thousands of miles, crossed more than 5 million streets and completed more than 500,000 commercial deliveries. The robots use a combination of sophisticated machine learning, artificial intelligence and sensors to travel on sidewalks and navigate around obstacles. The computer vision-based navigation helps the robots to map their environment to the nearest inch. The robots can cross streets, climb curbs, travel at night and operate in both rain and snow. A team of humans can also monitor their progress remotely and can take control if needed.

“We are thrilled to have the Starship Robots on campus as part of the award-winning JMU Dining Meal Plan program,” said Brent Beringer, Executive Director of JMU Dining. “Our mission is to keep the students safe and make them happy – and Starship Robots do both extremely well!”

++++

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 hundreds of thousands of miles and met millions of people across 100 cities around the world. They drive autonomously but are monitored by humans who can take control at any time. Starship was founded by two Skype co-founders, Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis. Former AirBnB executive Lex Bayer is CEO.

ABOUT ARAMARK:

Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) proudly serves the world’s leading educational institutions, Fortune 500 companies, world champion sports teams, prominent healthcare providers, iconic destinations and cultural attractions, and numerous municipalities in 19 countries around the world. We deliver innovative experiences and services in food, facilities management and uniforms to millions of people every day. We strive to create a better world by making a positive impact on people and the planet, including commitments to engage our employees; empower healthy consumers; build local communities; source ethically, inclusively and responsibly; operate efficiently and reduce waste. Aramark is recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Human Rights Campaign (LGBTQ+), DiversityInc, Equal Employment Publications and the Disability Equality Index. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

###