What is a Starship?
Starship Technologies is a robotics company that has designed and built a fleet of ground-based delivery robots. The robots are fully autonomous, meaning they can sense their environment and navigate without an operator. They have been designed to travel short distances on sidewalks at pedestrian speeds, typically within 2–4 miles (3–6 km) of the starting point.
The robots are self-contained units that contain a drivetrain, sensors, navigation systems, communication systems and an onboard computer system all fitted within an aluminum chassis which measures 24 x 30 in (61 x 76 cm). The robot is powered by batteries with up to 4 hours of autonomy and is equipped with several cameras for obstacle avoidance.
How much does it cost to use Starship?
The cost to use a Starship delivery robot depends on the service provider and the location. For instance, in London, UK, Deliveroo charges £1 for a small parcel delivery and £2 for large parcels. In some areas, customers can also opt for a subscription plan that provides unlimited deliveries at a reduced rate.
Why is it called Starship?
The name “Starship” was chosen to reflect the futuristic nature of its technology – transforming the way goods are delivered using autonomous robots. The company was co-founded by Skype co-founder Ahti Heinla and Janus Friis in 2014, who wanted to make transporting goods more efficient.
Are Starship robots AI?
Yes, Starship robots use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to navigate their environment and make decisions. The robots are programmed with a set of rules and behaviors that allow them to respond to their surroundings in real-time. In addition, the fleet of delivery robots have machine learning capabilities which enable them to think for themselves, solving problems without human guidance.