Colorado State University (CSU) has taken a big step into the future with the launch of robotic food delivery on its campus. Thirteen friendly robots now cruise around Fort Collins, delivering snacks and beverages to students and staff.
These robots, guided through GrubHub, work hard to provide on-campus dining services to everyone. “When we hear the little ding, we know a robot order is ready,” said Rachel Brady, a student worker at one of the dining spots. She prepares drinks and meals daily and recently demonstrated how to make an iced coffee for delivery by robot.
Brady thinks the robots are cute, comparing them to “little bugs on wheels.” To keep drinks secure during transport, she uses a sticker to cover the top. Outside her workplace, several robots often wait in line to pick up food. “They sometimes whistle or ding to say thank you before heading out,” she added.
Once Brady loaded the iced coffee into one of the robots, it zoomed off for delivery. These robots are equipped with sensors and cameras, allowing them to navigate the campus safely and avoid obstacles. Ian Abo, a business student in charge of robot operations, mentioned, “They are constantly learning how to get around more efficiently.
This robotic fleet first appeared on campus in summer 2024 to map the area, but they began actual deliveries in January 2025. As they work, they gather data from each trip, improving their routes over time. “It’s like watching kids grow—they learn and adapt,” Abo explained.
Despite some hiccups, like getting stuck at intersections due to vehicle traffic, the robots are learning to navigate the campus better. Abo noted that their timing at crosswalks has significantly improved. One of these journeys involved a robot that hesitated at an intersection until it felt it was safe to cross. Although these delays can happen, the robots can still complete their deliveries.
Audie Baros, a freshman at CSU, shared his thoughts on the robot delivery system. “It’s strange but really great! It’s super convenient,” he said, having already used the service multiple times.
However, using the robots comes with an extra fee for food or drinks. Some students reported that the robots struggle with natural obstacles like snow and ice. While CSU staff do not receive any financial benefit from GrubHub or the robots’ makers, sales at on-campus dining spots have increased.
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