Fordham University has introduced an exciting automated delivery service on campus. Thanks to a partnership with Starship and Grubhub, students can now order food from five on-campus restaurants, delivered by robots.
Here’s how it works: when a student places an order on Grubhub, one of seven Starship robots heads to the restaurant, picks up the food, and delivers it anywhere on campus.
Students are buzzing about the convenience. Ayden Johnson, a Fordham student, said, “I’m pretty excited for this. It feels like a great step forward.” Others agree, noting that the robots could be a lifesaver during long study sessions at the library or tight schedules between classes. Madeleine Ando, the vice president of facilities and dining, pointed out the campus’s vastness, stating, “It’s filled with busy students, making it perfect for using robots like these.”
The robots are designed to navigate the 85-acre campus neatly. They wait at various restaurants to pick up orders and go to designated charging stations when needed. Jane Martinez, deputy spokesperson for the university, mentioned that this service not only adds convenience but also provides hands-on learning opportunities for students. Several will be hired as fleet attendants to troubleshoot and maintain the robots.
Currently, the service includes food from Bronx Bagel Co., Dagger Johns, Cosi, The Grotto, and Urban Kitchen. Fordham now joins the ranks of the second college campus in New York City to embrace this tech-savvy delivery option.
Automated delivery services are gaining momentum across college campuses. According to a recent survey by the National University Transportation Center, over 65% of students expressed interest in robot deliveries, citing convenience and time-saving benefits. As technology continues to evolve, we may see more campuses adopting similar solutions to meet student needs.
In an era where technology increasingly influences our daily lives, initiatives like this show how universities can leverage innovation to improve student experiences. As Fordham leads the way, more schools may follow suit, creating a future where getting food on campus is as easy as a tap on the phone.
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