College students have quickly accepted supply robots on campus. Supply: Jessica Foster, Starship Applied sciences
Whereas it is probably not stunning that Technology Z is open to new expertise, a survey of 5,000 college students throughout 65 U.S. faculty campuses discovered that 95% “like” or “love” supply robots from Starship Applied sciences Inc. The corporate known 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 at this time they’re as soon as once more main the best way,” stated Ahti Heinla, co-founder and CEO of Starship. “What started as a handy supply possibility 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 acknowledged. “We’re exhibiting the world that it’s totally 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 stated it has accomplished greater than 9 million deliveries and operates over 2,700 robots throughout 270+ places in seven nations.
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 stated the outcomes from its 2025 Campus Person Survey confirmed robots receiving one of many highest approval rankings for any AI-powered expertise. As well as, 33% of scholars stated they skilled the expertise for the primary time, which the corporate stated recommended an “early adopter” mindset.
A supply robotic on the Northern Arizona College campus. Supply: Jessica Foster, Starship
“The robots have develop into a vital a part of on a regular basis life within the U.S., finishing virtually 7 million orders and touring practically 8 million miles throughout U.S. campuses since 2019,” the corporate stated. “In 2025, they accomplished 1.5 million miles on U.S. campuses — practically six journeys to the moon — reliably delivering in rain, snow, and freezing temperatures.”
Nearly 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 constructive since seeing or utilizing them.”
College students usually title, assist, and deal with the robots like mascots, stated 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 surprising well being advantages on faculty campuses, famous Starship. They may also help college students eat extra repeatedly, 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 stated supply robots enhance meals accessibility, whereas 1 in 4 reported feeling safer utilizing contactless supply, notably throughout late-night research periods or poor climate. College students additionally cited diminished stress round meal entry when sick, injured, or overwhelmed throughout examination intervals.
Much like final 12 months’s survey outcomes, over half of these surveyed stated they’ll research extra successfully (54%), keep away from skipping meals (60%), and save time (51%).
“Starship supply robots have been extraordinarily useful on campus,” stated Amelia Ott, a junior at Purdue College. “Whether or not I’m finding out late, or dashing between courses, they’re a straightforward, dependable method to get meals. The robots are all the time on time and may navigate via any terrain or dangerous climate. They’ve develop 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 stated its supply robots have gotten a standard sight on campuses and cities all over the world reasonably than a novelty.
