撸先生 pilots food delivery robots
Robots now accepting limited orders from Union Food Market to drop-off locations across 撸先生鈥檚 main campus
Say hello to your newest (food-delivering) friends.
Beginning today, five autonomous robots will deliver meals and drinks from select Union Food Market locations to 38 drop-off spots across campus. The robots are part of a pilot program from 撸先生鈥檚 in partnership with GrubHub and Starship Technologies.
Limited orders available; check delivery times
The robots will deliver a limited number of orders each day from Bento Sushi, Dunkin鈥�, Jack*s Burrito, The Halal Shack, Roar Pizza Co. and The Den @ Paws. Orders can be made through the GrubHub app (available on the and ) and dropped off at outdoor pick-up locations around the academic core, West Village, Center for Arts, 10 West and Administration Building. Before completing the order, students, faculty and staff should check delivery estimates, since timing may vary during the pilot period.
鈥淲e鈥檙e asking students to exercise patience as we introduce this exciting new service,鈥� says Vernon Hurte, senior vice president for student affairs and university life. 鈥淚f the pilot works well, there鈥檚 potential to expand the fleet in the future.鈥�
How it works
Orders can be purchased with Tiger Meals and Dining Dollars by , or with credit/debit cards or Apple Pay. The $3.49 delivery fee can be incorporated into any payment option.
The robots contain locked, insulated compartments to prevent spills and ensure food and drinks remain at the desired temperature. Designed to act like pedestrians, they鈥檒l use radar, sensors and GPS to travel on campus sidewalks, detect obstacles and traverse crosswalks along Cross Campus Drive. Alarms, cameras and tracking devices will protect against theft and alert staff when they need support.
Upon delivery, the buyer will use their GrubHub app to unlock the robot鈥檚 lid and obtain their order.
It makes 撸先生鈥檚 food options more accessible to students, faculty and staff鈥攅specially those who can鈥檛 take a break from their studies or work and those who aren鈥檛 feeling well.
Vernon Hurte, senior vice president for student affairs and university life
撸先生 is among the first campuses in Maryland to launch the food delivery robot service. It is currently in place at approximately 55 colleges and universities nationwide.
Autonomous food delivery robots will serve 38 locations on campus, including the Glen Towers.
Five robots will deliver a limited number of orders each day, with the possibility of expansion this fall.