One challenge at large universities is walking long distances across campus. Resident halls and dorms are usually placed near dining halls to make meals more accessible, but even then, walking to grab a quick coffee or snack can feel like a hassle. Many students prefer to stay focused on their studies rather than interrupting their workflow for food.

With students’ needs in mind, Bowling Green State University has partnered with Starship Technologies to create small autonomous delivery robots that bring food directly to students. These innovative robots are equipped with multiple cameras and sensors that detect their surroundings, ensuring safe travel routes across campus. Once the robot reaches its destination, it waits precisely 12 minutes for the order to be picked up.

The cameras and sensors also act as a theft deterrent. If tampered with, the robot issues a warning or activates a siren. They are weather-resistant, able to deliver safely through rain or snow, and travel at about four miles per hour, the average walking speed of a person. When they get stuck, students are encouraged to help them out — and the robots even respond with a polite “thank you.”

During the university’s preview day, these small robots could be seen roaming around campus. There were so many that it was hard to keep count, and despite the large crowd of visitors, none appeared to collide with anyone.

The convenience of these Starship delivery robots has already reduced congestion in dining halls and improved student satisfaction. They have become a normalized and efficient part of campus life, making snack runs faster, easier, and a little more futuristic.