Florida Polytechnic University’s newest high-tech addition is making dining on campus a little easier, and a lot more fun. With just a few taps on a phone screen, autonomous delivery robots can quickly deliver bagels, burritos, lattes and much more to Phoenixes throughout campus.
Florida Poly’s Phoenix Dining, managed by Chartwells Higher Education Dining Services, is partnering with Starship Technologies to introduce the innovative service. It launches with delivery from Einstein Bros. Bagels, Mosaic Café and Fire & Ash, with plans to expand options in the near future.
“These food delivery robots offer an exciting new way for our busy students, faculty and staff to quickly and conveniently enjoy a great meal, no matter where they are,” said Dr. Kerri Demeri, Florida Poly’s director of auxiliary enterprises. “Partnerships like this help us bring innovation directly to our students in meaningful, everyday ways.”
The zero-emission robots use a combination of machine learning, artificial intelligence and sensors to travel on sidewalks and navigate around obstacles. They can cross streets, climb curbs and operate in the rain, while their computer vision-based navigation helps them map their environment to the nearest inch.
The service allows menu-item customization and works in conjunction with student meal plans, including Phoenix Funds and meal exchanges. Delivery time depends on the menu items ordered and the distance the robot must travel. Customers unlock their order through the app when their robot arrives.
How it works
- Download the Starship Food Delivery app for iOS or Android
- Drop a pin for your delivery location
- Customize and place your order
- Track your delivery in real time
- When you receive an alert, meet your robot and collect your meal
As part of the partnership with Starship Technologies, Florida Poly is the first university in the nation to integrate Starship’s new point-of-sale system, which manages in-person order processing in concert with the new delivery robots, mobile pick-up, and touchscreen self-service kiosks.
“Our Starship 360 platform was built for campuses that are ready to rethink how dining fits into student life,” said Pepe Aaviksoo, senior vice president of operations at Starship Technologies.
“By piloting our point-of-sale system and launching our full Starship 360 solution at Florida Poly, we’re creating a dining experience designed around how students actually live – flexible, convenient, and always accessible. This partnership brings a smarter, more connected approach to campus dining while giving students more choice and control over their meals.”
