COLLEGES & UNIVERSITY
international autonomous robotic deliv- ery company opens the doors to other opportunities in the technology space.” To place an order, diners can use the Grubhub app where they can also track the robot on its journey, they can expect their delivery to be completed quickly, even just a few minutes, depending on the items ordered. ROBOTS HELP TO REDUCE CLI- MATE IMPACT AT GEORGE MA- SON UNIVERSITY While robot delivery is already more sustainable than traditional delivery methods, Starship is taking it a step fur- ther with the help of reusable container company, Topanga.io . The two compa- nies are working together to give din- ers the option for food to be packaged in reusable containers, for mobile pick- up or kiosk orders. The initiative is first going to be rolled out at George Mason University, but the two companies plan on launching the service at additional Starship campuses. The service will also be available for robot deliveries in the future. Topanga’s ReusePass program is fully integrated with the Starship app, and it is as simple as choosing the reusable packaging option when placing an order. Students will also be able to track the containers, allowing them to see which they currently have and what needs to be returned. The packaging is then thor- oughly cleaned and sanitized before be- ing put back into circulation. “At Mason Dining, sustainability is a top priority, and this seamless integra- tion makes it easier than ever for our students to choose environmentally re- sponsible dining options,” said Rosho- nda Alexander, Sodexo retail general manager at George Mason University, in a statement. “We believe this will be a great success, furthering our commit- ment to a greener campus.” Topanga’s ReusePass program will be live on more than 65 college campuses this year. During the 2023-2024 aca- demic year, the program served 1.2 mil- lion meals in reusable containers with
an average return rate sitting above 97%. This helped divert 123,500 pounds of waste from going to the landfill. “Starship’s technology has empow- ered campus communities to offer sus- tainable food delivery solutions, making our partnership a natural extension of their commitment to sustainable din- ing,” said Page Schult, CEO at the re- usable container company. “Topanga’s ReusePass integration with the Starship app and kiosks provides students with a seamless way to embrace sustainabil- ity without sacrificing convenience. It’s a win-win-win for campuses, students, and the environment.” AVRIDE AND GRUBHUB TEAM UP TO EXPAND ROBOT DELIV- ERY ON CAMPUSES Another tech company that offers delivery robots is Avride, and they recently teamed up with Grubhub to expand their reach. The Ohio State University cannot get enough robot delivery, it seems. The university, previously offered robot delivery delivery through Cartken , now has brought back the androids with a fleet of 100 robots from Avride. These robots have a spacious compartment that allows students to order anything from a quick snack to full meals. The robots can navigate delivery, even through challenging weather conditions. They also feature customizable LED panels with animated designs, which can be customized to reflect the campus community. “Our robots have already proven their value in campus environments, delivering convenience and delight to students,” said Dmitry Polishchuk, CEO of Avride, in statement. “We’re thrilled to be working with Grubhub to scale this success and expect to see hundreds of our robots serving campuses already in 2025.” Grubhub has offered robot delivery to its campus partners since 2021, and this new partnership will help the company bring student’s favorite delivery couriers to more universities.
will be at the forefront,” said Lucas Mill- er, director of residential dining services at CSU, in a statement. “Delivery robots will not only bring a new service to the CSU community, but it will also provide hands-on experience with new technol- ogies for the students who will manage and maintain the robots.” A CSU student actually worked di- rectly with Starship Technologies to prepare for the launch. Tevis Parent, a sophomore computer engineering ma- jor, worked as a robot technician, focus- ing on identifying, troubleshooting and fixing issues with the robots. “My ultimate goal is to design and build satellites,” said Parent. “So, working on these electronic circuits develops my di- agnostic abilities and my knowledge of electrical components and systems – as well as the experience of working for an
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