College students have quickly accepted supply robots on campus. Supply: Jessica Foster, Starship Applied sciences
Whereas it might not be stunning that Era Z is open to new expertise, a survey of 5,000 college students throughout 65 U.S. school campuses discovered that 95% “like” or “love” supply robots from Starship Applied sciences Inc. The corporate referred to as this a “generational shift in how people coexist with autonomous helpers.”
“Campuses have lengthy been the birthplace of the world’s most transformative concepts, and right this moment they’re as soon as once more main the way in which,” mentioned Ahti Heinla, co-founder and CEO of Starship. “What started as a handy supply choice has grown into a brand new social normal”
“This era is proving that autonomous expertise can coexist in our human communities, redefining the way forward for city cities,” he said. “We’re displaying the world that it’s absolutely automated and frictionless.”
Based in 2014 by Heinla, former chief architect of Skype,and Janus Friis, co-founder of Skype, Starship claimed to be the world’s No. 1 autonomous supply firm. It mentioned it has accomplished greater than 9 million deliveries and operates over 2,700 robots throughout 270+ areas in seven international locations.
Starship raised $50 million in funding in October 2025, bringing its complete funding to greater than $280 million.
Familiarity with robots builds campus acceptance
Starship mentioned the outcomes from its 2025 Campus Person Survey confirmed robots receiving one of many highest approval scores for any AI-powered expertise. As well as, 33% of scholars mentioned they skilled the expertise for the primary time, which the corporate mentioned advised an “early adopter” mindset.
A supply robotic on the Northern Arizona College campus. Supply: Jessica Foster, Starship
“The robots have turn into an important a part of on a regular basis life within the U.S., finishing virtually 7 million orders and touring almost 8 million miles throughout U.S. campuses since 2019,” the corporate mentioned. “In 2025, they accomplished 1.5 million miles on U.S. campuses — almost six journeys to the moon — reliably delivering in rain, snow, and freezing temperatures.”
Virtually three-quarters (72%) of the survey respondents described Starship’s robots as “pleasant/cute,” and two thirds (65%) reported that their opinions grew to become “extra optimistic since seeing or utilizing them.”
College students usually title, assist, and deal with the robots like mascots, mentioned the firm. It asserted that the survey outcomes present that autonomous expertise is as a lot about tradition as it’s about expertise.
Oregon State has one of many largest Starship deployments, with 265,000 orders in 2025 and 1.2 million orders complete since launch.
Starship touts advantages to pupil well being, research
Past practicality, the sidewalk robots have delivered sudden well being advantages on school campuses, famous Starship. They might help college students eat extra recurrently, keep away from unsafe late-night walks, handle stress and sickness, and entry meals regardless of mobility or social-anxiety challenges.
Practically 40% of scholars surveyed mentioned supply robots enhance meals accessibility, whereas 1 in 4 reported feeling safer utilizing contactless supply, significantly throughout late-night examine periods or poor climate. College students additionally cited lowered stress round meal entry when sick, injured, or overwhelmed throughout examination durations.
Much like final 12 months’s survey outcomes, over half of these surveyed mentioned they’ll examine extra successfully (54%), keep away from skipping meals (60%), and save time (51%).
“Starship supply robots have been extraordinarily useful on campus,” mentioned Amelia Ott, a junior at Purdue College. “Whether or not I’m learning late, or dashing between lessons, they’re a simple, dependable method to get meals. The robots are at all times on time and may navigate by any terrain or dangerous climate. They’ve turn into a part of on a regular basis campus life and are enjoyable to see round campus too.”
Starship operates on 65 U.S. campuses and plans to increase additional in 2026. The San Francisco-based firm mentioned its supply robots have gotten a typical sight on campuses and cities around the globe slightly than a novelty.
