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.

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

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

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

The creative contraptions are made by Starship Technologies, which did their first robot deliveries in 2016 on the streets of California.

The idea was to combine autonomous robots with mobile mapping technology, and the company is continuing to expand the contactless delivery service during the coronavirus pandemic.

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

The advanced devices can travel within a 4-mile radius of their 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 had up to 10. It depends on their availability, and right now some are out mapping, so the distance gets further."

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

"We got that all situated with the delivery and pick up when we closed the 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 the Starship app, customers can find local stores that are partnering with the company, place their order and it will be delivered directly to the street in front of their home.

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

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

Staff at Broad Branch Market are wearing masks and gloves and they load items into the 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 the highlight of peoples day when they get a robot," Stannard said. "It's so fun, and funny, and just exciting and different. It's a great distraction."

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

(Image Credit: AP)