As you navigate through a seemingly endless series of uniform roundabouts under the sweltering sun, the sight of robots gliding along grassy paths, swiftly maneuvering around obstacles to deliver their packages, might seem surreal. However, this scenario is a typical Thursday in Milton Keynes, a city known for its unique urban planning and post-war history.
The robotic delivery units are not newcomers to this Buckinghamshire town, which holds the title of the UK’s largest new town and has captivated urban planners since their introduction in 2018. These robots, designed by Starship Technologies, have been making rounds in Milton Keynes and are now expanding to other cities, including Wakefield, Leeds, and Bristol, thanks to partnerships with food delivery services like Just Eats. With the UK government considering legislation to permit these delivery robots to operate on sidewalks nationwide, they may soon be a common sight throughout the country.
Residents like Amrita Singh, a project manager aged 46, have embraced the convenience of these robots for errands. She notes, “It’s a wonderful experience,” observing them frequently in her neighborhood and local park. Singh finds them particularly useful when she’s home alone with her children and her husband is away for work.
To evaluate the delivery process, a demonstration was conducted at Singh’s home, located just a short distance from her local Co-op store. After placing an online order, the items were loaded into a Starship robot, which then set off. Despite my efforts to keep pace, the robot outstripped me, completing the journey in about five minutes, which was faster than my own walking time of seven minutes, even though the conditions were particularly hot, hitting 34°C.
The robot adeptly navigated traffic and avoided pedestrians, including a mother with a stroller, by utilizing its array of radars, cameras, and sensors. Upon reaching its destination, Singh commented on the robots’ utility, saying, “It’s a very good gadget for people who are not able to go out of the house due to illness or because of the kids.”
However, safety advocates and disability organizations have raised concerns about the implications of these robots on pedestrian safety. In 2019, testing was halted at the University of Pittsburgh when a doctoral student using a wheelchair reported being blocked by a robot at an accessible ramp. Catherine Woodhead, the CEO of Living Streets, expressed that the robots pose risks to vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with disabilities, stating emphatically, “Pavements are for people.”
In response to these concerns, Starship’s head of public affairs, Lisa Johnson, assured that the robots are programmed to recognize mobility devices and will yield to them. In situations where they cannot navigate away, she mentioned that a human operator would be alerted to assist.
Despite a few operational hiccups, such as the robot failing to return after delivery due to an app error, Singh remains enthusiastic about the service. She recalls being “amazed” when the robots first arrived and even shared photos with her family in India.
George Donmar, a 38-year-old resident who moved from London in 2018, also appreciates the robots. He posted on social media about the innovative technology upon their arrival. While he utilized them frequently during the pandemic, he now prefers to shop in person for exercise. His young sons are particularly fond of the robots, with his toddler, Liam, often chasing after them in delight. However, Donmar believes the robots would struggle in busier urban environments like London due to congestion and potential vandalism concerns.
In Milton Keynes, the robots do face some challenges as well, with Stacey Cordes, a 38-year-old department store employee, noting that children have been known to play rough with them. She appreciates the convenience they provide, especially when urgent needs arise, such as requiring personal items. Generally, she finds their service reliable, though there have been instances of minor issues, such as delivery errors.
