Campuses across America have one thing in common. Starship robots are being bought for colleges and let out to deliver food for many students.
The University of Idaho bought 16 of these robots. These robots allow students to buy food and have it delivered from Qdoba, The Marketplace, Einstein Bro’s, True Burger, and Cravings by Joe. Starship’s robots are their own self-driving units that have mapped University of Idaho’s campus to be able to deliver all the way to the Kibbie Dome, Nez Perce Dr, Sweet Ave, Paradise Creek Str, and Railroad Str plus, anywhere in between. Walking across campus you are sure to see the robots occasionally going to and from their delivery locations. Typically, you can see fellow peers smiling, pointing, and laughing at the robots, but many students have expressed their feelings about the robots.
Robots are everywhere on campus and the opinions are quite diverse.
Is it just to deliver food? Can they be beneficial in any other way? Can people just pick their food up themselves? Unsure of the answer to any of these questions and reaching out to University of Idaho students to ask how they felt about the robots, where they like to order from, the robot’s efficiency, as well as the Starship application on smart phones not allowing the use of Vandal Meal Exchange through the Idaho Eats meal plans.
“I feel like robots are a great addition to the campus here at the University of Idaho, but I do feel like in some sense they can be a little unnecessary for the average student.” Wyatt Moore, a University of Idaho student said.
Saying what many might be thinking Moore also expressed confusion on how they might be feeling when the robots got to campus.
“I can see how robots would be beneficial for if we are studying and do not want to take the time to actually go and get food from somewhere.” Jessie Groeniger, a UI student said.
The robots are seen going all over campus throughout the day so someone, somewhere is benefiting from them. The robots seem to be doing their job productively and effectively as well, of course with some stops and accidents here and there.
Students also commented on the efficiency of the robots on the University of Idaho campus.
“The robots are not efficient, and it takes almost an hour to get your food.” Joe Tibesar, another UI student said. Starship robots are designed to move out of the way as well as stop for traffic. On the Moscow campus this has added longer delivery times to the orders due to there being streets across campus that the robots are having to cross.
“Mine (her delivery) took an hour and my food was cold and smushed. The time kept saying the same amount of time and then told me it was delayed,” Sophia Mangini, another UI student said. “I think that there should be compensation for the time that is used past the recommended delivery time. I want something in return for having to wait the delayed time.” Compensation for delays is another factor that was continuously brought up regarding Starship robots not being as effective as they could be. There could be refunds for delivery fees or coupons given to students who are experiencing multiple delays with an order. Another factor in ordering is the time of day. When students are getting out of classes as well as the lunch hour (11am-2pm) rolls around the robots have increasingly delayed delivery times than many want to experience.
A lot of students at the University of Idaho hold a meal plan through Idaho Eats, the University’s dining partner, and are allowed a certain amount of dining dollars as well as meal swipes, which can be used at The Eatery. New this academic year (2021-2022) is meal exchanges, which allows students to be able to use up to a certain amount of their meal swipes as a meal exchange at Cravings by Joe, The Market, True Burger, Einstein Bro’s, and Qdoba. This feature has been a benefit to many and has been very enjoyable for many students. When the Starship robots were introduced, they were not introduced with the meal exchange program and students using the robot’s delivery system are not happy about that. Mangini describes best the issues that she feels lay within this issue.
“So, when we were freshman last year, we got $900 for dining dollars, and we could not use as much hub swipes, but it evened out and now we only get $400 and dining swipes but I do not go to the hub 160 times a semester so I would rather see the money going to another location on campus,” Mangini said “It would be convenient to order online and use my meal exchange swipes.”
The University has not made clear why this is not possible but has alluded to the possibility of an expansion in the service this coming fall.
Ducati Schiff can be reached at [email protected]