Robot deliveries ramp up during coronavirus scare

It's a surprising sight to see a self-driving delivery robot full of grocery items navigate a nearly empty sidewalk and crossing intersections.

new techlogy is also helping restaurants and grocery stores stay open while limiting person to person contact during coronavirus pandemic.

Richard Teare has lived in Washington DC for nearly 60 years and often sees robots roam around his neighborhood.

"re is a robot w," Teare said, pointing one out. "I would almost say uncanny and it's very careful. It stops for t only intersections but just for alleys."

creative contraptions are me by Starship Techlogies, which did ir first robot deliveries in 2016 on streets of California.

idea was to combine automous robots with mobile mapping techlogy, and company is continuing to expand contactless delivery service during coronavirus pandemic.

Many small businesses are jumping on board including Bro Branch Market, which is co-owned by Tracy Stannard and John Fielding in rthwest DC.

vanced devices can travel within a 4-mile rius of ir starting location, and its entire journey and location can be monitored on a smart phone.

"I think today we have five robots running," Stannard said. "We've h up to 10. It depends on ir availability, and right w some are out mapping, so distance gets furr."

small neighborhood store started testing robots in late March as y were changing ir business model to make sure ir staff and customers stay safe during to public health crisis.

"We got that all situated with delivery and pick up when we closed store April to customers," Stannard said. "And so, it's taken us a good two weeks to get our legs under us and get our grocery delivery and ordering system in place."

Through Starship app, customers can find local stores that are partnering with company, place ir order and it will be delivered directly to street in front of ir home.

"Well I think it's a sign of things to come," said Teare who has t used delivery service yet.

"But at same time somebody has to put bags into robot and when robot arrives or when I get home with my stuff probably we are going to wipe it off with Clorox solution," Teare ded.

Staff at Bro Branch Market are wearing masks and gloves and y lo items into delivery robots, and Stannard said it's also a great way to connect with customers and provide some entertainment during this dark time.

"Literally it's like highlight of peoples day when y get a robot," Stannard said. "It's so fun, and funny, and just exciting and different. It's a great distraction."

For most people, new coronavirus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older ults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia and death.

(Im Credit: AP)